We Be
We BE strength/strong
Grade A/original
the first dynasty of Mother Earth
creators of
math/astronomy/medicine/engineering & so forth
an AFROCENTRIC phenomenon
BEEN here in North America
trading gold with Indians
long before Christopher Columbus
dropped from his mama’s womb
BEEN knocked down/beaten
disarmed mentally
racism doing a spastic seven-step dance
around our bodies
and still holding on
Our spirit can NOT be vaporized
We BE cosmic magic
a reservoir of
heavyweight/untapped/Almighty Power
WE BE
A ROYAL
RESURRECTING
RACE
WE BE
By Karen Halliburton
Recipe
Preheat a skillet of love
Evenly coat the bottom with
a few drops of sweetness
Chop the following ingredients finely:
One clove of bitter experiences
1 cup of painful regrets
2 sprigs of sad memories
Sauté slowly for what
seems like an eternity
Add ½ cup of grace
and forgiveness
2 cups of positive visions
Simmer until gentle
In a separate pan
Place strips
of African stories to tell
and spicy poetry
Pour in generous portions
of family life, graduate school,
and trips to Senegal
Add finely chopped ingredients
for personality
Stir ingredients until they
blend into community
Place in the oven of life and
bake on a high flame of surrender
Remove from heat and let
Ingredients settle into character
Place on a plate and
Garnish with thinly sliced
integrity and faith
Serve with a glass of joy,
praise and devotion
—Dr. Patricia Williams Diaw
Reprint from the book: Recipe: Thirty-Two Poems about Life