Remembering Shani Baraka
When will the murdering end in the land of murder when will it end? when will the talk and marching make sense to fools even? Poets are not safe in this land even their children are not safe from the death angel who walks through fire untouched until the white house turns black murder will reign in the world no families are secure Baldwin said, "The murder of my child will not make your child safe!" Connect the dots, America arms merchant of the world whose guns pollute the hood shrines to death and eternity stand on every corner candles, teddy bears and tears notes of pain and love, RIP and the shrines return to the same corners every full moon when death does her dance in the moonlight of our madness is it too much to ask for sanity in this blood soaked land is it too much to ask for a moment of clarity and peace? Woe to America, she has become the habitation of devils the haven for every filthy, unclean bird. Fly to Allah. seek refuge from the blood of the beast who devours the souls of men, women and children from Palestine to Newark, from Liberia to Congo from Soweto to Hunters Point in Frisco Fly to the mountains of peace, take refuge in the trees feed the cows and horses see how they run to you, happy to see you with the hay? plant the corn with your fingers don't worry if dirt is in your pretty nails. Don't worry if the sun burns you black like the earth Fly to Allah and be safe in the caves of your mind away from the evil one who walks through fire. who seeks to devour the children we do not protect so the big bad wolf blows the house down we stand wondering how and why and who.
I told Shani to take me to the ocean and she said OK but we never went she was busy and so was I I told her to come to Cali she said OK but never did She told her Mama, "Marvin X is the only man I like!" And I liked her bow legs. point guard. room full of trophies I didn't think about challenging her in a game of one on one. I wasn't going to embarrass myself since I wasn't in shape I fixed her breakfast She said she never saw a man cook before. No, not her father nor her brothers Maybe that's why she liked me. I was drunk one night and invaded Amiri's study I told him I wanted to marry Shani He told me the next day, "Marvin, you get drunk and say the damnest things!" Her mother said, "Take her!" but I never did. so Shani lived her life with her girls. Her brothers said, "Shani just mannish! She be all ite." Last time I heard, she had joined church and coached basketball. The little point guard with the bow legs. The feminine spirit of Baraka. We love you, Shani. You and your girl, Rayshon. Peace.
Marvin X
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