Holla!
Transcription
Holla!
hoLLa a collection of womenz Wordz ! Holla! A Collection of Womenz Wordz First paperback edition published by Literature for Life 215 Spadina Ave. suite 162 Toronto, ON M5T 2C7 416-203-9830/ fax: 416-979-3936 www.literatureforlife.org womenzwordz.wordpress.com Motion, editor illustration by Amber Williams King book design by riad Copyright 2011 Literature for Life. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retreval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise, without the permission of the publisher, except for the brief passages quoted for review purposes. Copyrights for individual poems remain with the authors. Printed and bound in Canada by Q Print www.qprint.ca Thank U The CREaToR Literature For Life Women Moving Forward 1900 Sheppard ave West Humewood House Verle Thompson Jemini riad anna Piszczkiewicz a Different Booklist our Families our Children and all the Women With Wordz Table of Contents 8 Intro She Stanzas Women’s Words Everything I am I am I am Sadness Procrastination 9 Rootz Kizzy Shanae Makida Rochelle Georgina Georgina Shanae InkRhythm Nas DanceParty Dub Insomnia Ingoma King on His Throne 18 Chauncey Whitney amber Rootz Kizzy Raine Seeds Rage Children’s Story Crayons Hailey Mom’s Grand Plan Terminate Untitled Happiness Red 17 Syllables BEginning Rage Red Dress 3 a.m. Empty Fills My attitude Scribbles 26 Makida Makida Whitney Shanae Rochelle Whitney Niki Maltia 37 Womenz Wordz Niki Gabriella & Rochelle Miss Cola amber Rootz Kizzy Niki amber Meta4 Zig Zag Roof & Ground ode 2 Clyde Yellow Sunn/Rayn 47 ashley Rochelle Miss Cola Whitney Raine Luv Untitled Hennessey Feverish Buzz Telephone Booth 36 Finch West Subway Love 53 ashley amber Shanae ashley Makida Miss Cola Vizion True Beauty Roots & Culture When SiStars Speak The Walk Lucid Dreams This is for the Young ones 60 Niki Rochelle Rootz Kizzy Latoya Stephanie Shanae the authors outro 68 70 Intro It is a powerful thing when women come together: to share stories, document their histories, rewrite their futures. Through writing, reading, telling, speaking, a Sisterhood grows - a sacred space, a safety, a push, a pull, a birthing, a circle of support, challenge, healing. Womenz Wordz presents a new collection, a coming together of realness, reflection, rant and rave. The wordz whisper, shout, caress and kick, remember and envision, tempt and testify. These wordz can not be silent. From seeds in the mind to the ink of pen tips, to the flowing, roaring rhythm of the lips, these wordz Holla! These wordz were born to be heard. Love, passion, anger, elevation, exclamation: proudly presenting Womenz Wordz. Motion Toronto, 2011 SheStanzas SheStanzas 10 Womens Words They bring life to souls who possess the will to be physical. They bring tears and laughter simultaneously. Emotions deep like the atlantic, Run long up the river Nile. Back to the dayz when Queens were Heads of the army, Giving commands and strategies That led nations to victory! Bringing about the revolution of Womens' Rights being respected. Telling stories of struggles, expectations and rejections. Her wordz bring power to a nation. Give inspiration and motivation to a Woman like me. Womens wordz are a gateway for love, for truth, for peace, for freedom, for justice. Womens Wordz will not go unheard. by Rootz Kizzy SheStanzas 11 Everything I am the King, the Queen and Everything in between I am the Pedestal on which you stand just so you can be seen I am the Fuel to your fire The Need in your every desire But yet, faithful complier Cause I am the King, the Queen and Everything in between I am the person you depend on The person you should lean on, the counselor you confide in I am neither left nor right hand I am Both Hands, Understand? Neither one nor the other but both Your Sister and your Lover by Shanae 12 SheStanzas I am I am the brown church Bus stop across the street Snow Footprints Cigarette butts Cars, traffic, people I am oxtail The soft carrots The juicy oxtail meat, hmm how it melts in you mouth The flavors- the hot yet sweet The lil dumplins inside The wet gravy I am passion Freedom Companionship Genuine Uniqueness Success I am Guh Deh ! Yes, man Drop! Mommm Uhhh DaH Watch yah! Like! are you serious? oooo! Mixx up! Lawwd Have mercy Wha DaT? I am my daughter My mind I am the before he destroyed me by Makida 13 SheStanzas I am I am hungry for a well-seasoned spicy curried goat With fluffy white chewy well-steamed rice along with fat yellow crunchy sweet corn with crisp Green lettuce with shocking orange French dressing With a zingy vinegar sweet taste that bring a sensation to my Tongue with a Caribbean vibe by Rochelle SheStanzas 14 I am I am my mirror, deep and square I see it blank, an empty space It looks so cold, It looks so strange Its light so dim, Its face so pale… I am hungry for knowledge To empower myself a place to belong Where I feel I’m safe, Where I feel accepted Despite imperfections I am eating a cake of protection I am my dignity, I am my freedom I hide my secrets, my life Inside this rock you cannot have I am a pink quartz With lots of heart Whose soul you cannot scar. I am my grandma’s house, Where I grew up So warm and loving My place to hide Myself, my life… I am the sea, an endless ocean Fulfilled with tears Where I hide my pain, Where I hide my fear. by Georgina SheStanzas 15 Sadness We have now became one person I only look at you deep inside my own depression It’s where I’ve found you, where I could find me I’ve just discovered a hidden side inside of me I’ve seen you and death just right in front of me But I wasn’t afraid anymore… Sadness gave me courage, sadness gave me love Without you I couldn’t be myself no more You held me captive, then set me free Thanks to sadness… that at least I’m here You left me for dead With my dreams all over spread But now for me I care, and I’m not scared, It’s not thanks to them that my life was spared It’s only mine, for me to see, It’s only me who says who’s this Who I may become, Who he may be at least If he doesn’t come then at least I’m free. With sadness I’ve become stronger! With sadness I satisfy my hunger of crushed dreams that exist and last, no longer Sadness has helped me out of inner confrontations Than I ever did for me in lots situations Not a state of mood it’s sadness, not only emotions Sadness you’ve become for me my life, my love…my motion You contain and know everything about me, and perhaps nothing at all If you know me in my deepest darkest moments Who else has the right to say they get me, they don’t know me…not at all! SheStanzas 16 Who am I to trust after they judged me and they judge me bad…, for what I wear you proudly… sadness Like everyday clothes, for them you are only fashion For me to give them nothing else but judge my nation I shield myself, for who deserves to see my purest intention In these times of tribulation, who acts according to perfection? For what I hide Nothing to be proud about, Don’t wanna brag about and compromise myself for accusations You gave me reasons for confrontation But on the contrary I prayed for redemption It’s sadness now, my most satisfying feeling Cus it was me not you who at the end was failing This mess my life has come to be…for them a useless mission. For them I’m lost, don’t know my vision For you I have potential, To be myself is what I envision. With sadness I’ve become stronger! With sadness I satisfy my hunger of crushed dreams that exist and last, no longer by Georgina SheStanzas 17 Procrastinating Sweaty palms of my own demise cover my face to block the sunrise I should've could've would've but i didn’t now here i am still sittin waiting for time fly by looking for another reason why i should have could have would have but i didn’t get out of bed or is it all just in my head somehow my thoughts are being mislead could it be my brain just needs to be fed i wanna run free but something is keeping me. by Shanae InkRhythm InkRhythm 19 Nas Black & white Try my life Call me what you want Imma make it You don't know what I been through Scary trees no leaves Eyes are dark face is screwed by Chauncey InkRhythm 20 Danceparty The backseat driver is whistling With a swollen lip The cars pass by I feel a grip and a flow Car goes The road moves under me The road moves pleasantly The driver winks at the trees Lining the street beats Sun shining and my eyes meet The glow Engine humming, thumbing under My ear tone, a little grown Come from tires I’m tired, sighing against Passenger windows, tinted my memory Stinted, spinning and lost in the lull of the Sunday drive I feel all together alive, My toes naked, my hands resting My heart stopped stressing I got two songs in my chest Loud and unrest The beat turns and hums Starting its quest across my arms and legs My hands feel like it begs Like it moves, grooves, soothes I’m moving but still, stilly grooved in a big ball of tape-track ribbon Given this moment more thought or not, might rot the bubble to pop and unwind the plot of my daydreams, they seem To mind their own business and scream in a Silent voice of mist and steam InkRhythm 21 The car stops and the lock pops Feet shuffle out of the door More cars pull up Show up Parking lots booming sound shots Men moving live maestro enticing my Eyes to go up, down, You know Dance party cranked up intensity The moves leave a trace, a density, Foot prints crush the ground underneath me, the Beat swims from outside of me and the cool air can’t stop we. Dance party. Someone approaches me, dark tall and lovely Wearing a jeans jacket smiling Speakers are spotted and the sound Increases rips riffs in my chest make my feet slave to a hypnotic beat the heart, my feet Stop I freeze seize the man in front of me and whine. Move up my body, shake my hips in triangles our hands and hair entangled Body heat feeds the beat but spaces rub up against our moves, Moves us further away we are at a safe distance Bob and sway My eyes give away true intentions his lips whisper ‘don’t mention it,’ the music fades out, and I sit. by Whitney InkRhythm 22 Dub Insomnia Night thoughts chase the dawn as day breaking dreams are born In the madness of midnight suns Makeshift cock calls riddle his eardrums and he presses the snooze button on the alarm clock although he hasn’t slept yet Dressed yet? He still wears the slacks with the syrup stains and the crumpled lunch receipt in the back pocket Can’t remember what he had But he knows it was awful Stomach grumbles as he reaches for another packet of ramen “Shit, I shoulda never left Sunrays for snowy landscapes Coal pots for coffee cups… and Mama.” Night thoughts chase the dawn as day breaking dreams are born In the madness of midnight suns The sky’s sparkling black pupils scorn his footsteps “How dare you disturb this world’s slumber.” But down under, he’s just another number on another block, in a far away city and even he haffu eat So he stumbles on to the street Sneakers saddening pavement as baby sleeps Sweating for dimes Fingers slipping through time Souls caked in mud Does hope die with the settling son? Night thoughts chase the dawn Day breaking dreams are born In the madness of midnight suns by amber InkRhythm 23 Ingoma Ingoma, Ingoma, Helped us to live on. Music is life. Music is light. Ingoma. our language sang in unique unity. Beauty in our rhythm showed our endurance. The beauty within our struggle was our insurance to live another day and smile through Ingoma. Through our great potential we strived and never gave up. We fought and still fight til this day to let the chains up and off us. See the beauty of us african people is our strength beyond measure. The treasure is: from us everything came to be original and then borrowed or photocopied. Ingoma through war Ingoma through birth Ingoma brought blessings and also cast curses. and dem wonda why we still ah work and still a cry and still ah work and still ah buy and still ah work and still ah try and still ah work and still a fly. Flying higher. Ingoma. our Ingoma makes us stronger. Trials and tribulations shook our nations but only emptied our pockets. Spirits still higher than rockets could reach. See they knew that we were here to teach. They thought that singers of songs in exile would not breach, but little did they know. Yes little do they know now that we know now more than ever before that our strength in numbers only does us good when our principles and values are in 1 accord. We sing our Ingoma and live on. by Rootz Kizzy InkRhythm 24 King on His Throne Gold medals and badges shadows fading lights serious serious eyes dance hall floors 2 tones, scruffy flashy experience, strong confidence Top dogg, real badman firm grounded Intimidating, dark King on his throne by Raine seeds 26 Seeds Rage I protect you by raising my voice I protect you by shouting I protect you by screaming I am protecting you from the bruises I am protecting you from the rage I am protecting you from the emotional scars I am protecting you from the me I can’t control because I love you. by Makida 27 Seeds Children’s Story There once was a princess named Li-Li Princess Li-Li had a problem. She used to cry for everything. She cries in the morning She cries in the night She cries even when she’s sleeping She cries all the time. She cried so much her friends didn’t want to play with her anymore. Princess Li-Li didn’t know what to do. She went to the queen and said… “Mommy, none of my friends want to talk to me. Why?” as she cried. “It’s because you cry way too much. Instead of crying, use your words.” Princess Li-Li took her advice and instead of crying she used her words and everything was good again with Princess Li-Li. by Makida Seeds 28 Crayons I used to think that My skin Was too light I’d fish For a crayon That matched my face and I was left grappling two colors: Sienna and orange I was 6 years old and couldn’t pronounce Sienna So I decided to announce To my mother that “I n’orange Momma!” She yelled at me I got the wrong answer “You’re black my black child” not gentle rough and upset by my confusions I went back to the crayon box and lined up the Black Crayon to my arm It looked wrong I held it up against my hair It seemed to match and my friend Sarah her hands were Peach But mom called her White White is the color of the inside of her eyes “She peach and I n’orange” but mom didn’t want to hear any of it. by Whitney 29 Seeds Hailey Born with fair skin full lips Beautiful brown eyes Looking right towards the sky Five hours and 20 min. she's all mine my arms cradled her while my hands held her tight for this night was the best night of my life. Morning has come already my worry has begun to me she was perfection deserved all of my love and affection life had a whole nother lesson for her society's definition of beautiful stood at the extent of her long curly hair how would i tell her should i start by saying there is no such thing as black and white just a world full of people filled with insecurities they feel they must hide divided by pride and a bunch of hatred inside tricked by the illusion of colour i would have to explain to her why a white man is pink and a black man is really brown one day i will tell her that the world is cold but no matter what you stay bold hold your ground and never frown don’t let anything they throw at you get you down image is just an excuse they use to amuse refuse to take form to an inevitable norm remember where you came from always know where you're going steer clear of confusion even if the rain is pouring cause precision is the way to growth. after all this my dear, Mommy just wants you to know that " I love you" and soon you will know that all i have said is true and to just "Be you". by Shanae 30 Seeds Children’s Book Not so long ago, in a place not that far away from here, there was a little sevenyear-old boy named abraham who loved…NaTURE! and everything in it. He wanted to know every little fact about it, every little thing about that marvelous creation called…NaTURE! He would spend hours, and days and months asking his mom about…NaTURE! He would talk his mom’s ears off all day, asking her all type of questions. Every day at the exact moment when mom decided to start doing something she needed to do, a little voice would come to her ears: -Mom? Why do we have snow every winter?But of course his mom, just like many other moms in the world, was always busy with all the house chores, so she got him a book from the library, a book, about… NaTURE! So now, he would spend hours, and days, and months reading as many books as possible, about…NaTURE! Now everything was working ju-u-ust perfect! Little abraham’s reading peacefully his books while his mom was busy doing all the house chores, just like many other moms in the world, as always. Everything was quiet, when all of a sudden a little voice came to mom’s ears: -Mom? Do you know that every snowflake on earth is unique? None of them are exactly the same shape!- Seeds 31 But of course his mom, just like many other moms in the world, was always busy with all the house chores, so she’d send him off outside, so he could get to see by himself all those interesting facts he had learned in books, about… NaTURE! Son now, he would spend hours, and days, and…moths, exploring everything around his home, every different place where he could learn, about…NaTURE! Now everything was working ju-u-ust perfect! Little abraham exploring outside while his Mom was busy doing all the house chores, just like many other moms in the world do, as always. Everything was quiet inside, when all of a sudden a little voice came to Mom’s mind. She couldn’t stop hearing that little voice, asking, telling all these interesting facts, about…NaTURE! She couldn’t stop thinking about all those marvelous things little abraham told her, about…NaTURE! Now she wanted to see for herself all those interesting facts she had heard from her little abraham, about…NaTURE! So, she finally decided to stop, what many other moms in the world do, being busy with all the house chores, so she could go out, find her little abraham and get to see all this wonderful things, about…NaTURE! Now this time everything was really working ju-u-ust perfect! Mother and son, someplace outside, somewhere around this world, not only learning, but experiencing and enjoying together all the beautiful things, about…NaTURE! by Georgina Seeds 32 Mom’s Grand Plan From a baby to boy you will grow into a man 9 months in security after you enter no one will know your prosperity Watch who you chill with!!!! Boy do you hear me?? It’s me alone He wasn’t man enough fi tek care ah wi… So listen to my words boy I dream of you destiny Chilling on the block will only bring you discrepancy No matter how old you get You will always be a part of me It’s a life sentence boy So stay near to me. by Rochelle 33 Seeds Terminate terminate final, pushing a button when i hear the news i cry and cry moments later, joy burns my chest, i welcome a baby a boy into my world momma she is the first i tell, she dreamt it like a seer the nurse gives me a number for a clinic, can’t believe her smile anyway say i’m pro-life god would never give me something i can’t handle odd, the panel of single mothers aunt, reels in my head grandmother, my heroes mother say “terminate” even homeboy, thought I was coming back to his sorry-ass, sits down fast when i tell him. for once he shuts the fuck up, actually listens. a man passes by on rollerblades with his kid my man says, “ I cant be him. terminate.” 34 Seeds doctor: “miscarriage high risks, built too small, don’t go through it all” he repeats; i say: don’t steal my fate doctorman don’t squash my beat, don’t mean miscarriage will come to pass and i leave but the last thing i see is a sign: DISPoSE DIaPERS IN WaSHRooM GaRBaGE THaNK YoU. i walk past white doors, into a cold room powder blue and shut my eyes tight as they vacuum motherhood out of me. in Recovery an asian girl my age looks glossy, reddened and wet. I want her tears because I feel nothing by Whitney 35 Seeds Untitled Slowly tearing my soul into pieces Bending my already broken heart In its almost healed creases our time spent apart leaves me feeling defeated Didn’t realize how much I needed Didn’t know it was YoU who gave me the strength Just to wake up and smile Each and everyday Remember what you said to mommy? That no one can take me from you and you’ll always love me? Each word stabs me in the heart Felt my world slowly fall apart My mistakes haunt me like a ghost in the night Wish I could undo the hands of time Undo my wrongs and make them right I always had your best of intentions Feels like I’ve been handed a life sentence of constant wrong doings and bad decisions Living life but not truly living People taking never ever giving Got lost along the journey Love you baby and mommy’s sorry by Niki 36 Seeds Happiness My entire life I’ve been searching for happiness I began to think it was non-existent Having a child young didn’t make my life easy But I do not regret it because it gave me motivation Motivation to wake up each morning Motivation to love Motivation to strive for the best and every time I see my child smile It takes a load off my chest and brightens up my day My child’s love makes the pain go away She’s all I’ve ever wanted and more than I’ll ever need Who would’ve known that having a child could bring me happiness at 19 By Maltia red REd 38 17 Syllables of Rage I am quiet rage anger is my best weapon I cannot be stopped by Womenz Wordz REd 39 BEginning Where do u begin? Where do u start How do u react When shit falls apart Is it good or bad? To feel heartbroken and sad Is this what love is suppose to feel like a burning aching pain that Just doesn’t sit right or is this God’s way of showing I am human and he don’t Like What It is I am Doing? by Niki 40 REd Rage i feel you in my mind head pounding rewinding the moments playing in slooooooooow mode body frozen blood cold feelin so heavy thoughts analyze'n, pick out MURDER, SUICIDE, BLooD SPREaDING crying and pain My blood simmerzzzZ boils vapor rizing (szzzz)..... invisible burn double minded FUCK, I'M CURSING boasting blood pressure rising emotion i'm dying by Gabriella & Rochelle REd 41 Red Dress It was new years eve as I stood in the front lobby Listening to preacha man a vibrant red dress walked through them doors Through them doors and held fast unto my thoughts My thoughts I swear my thoughts are not my own own…what do I own Betta yet what do I own that I can use Use to get into this pretty red dress My eyes don’t lie my tongue won’t rest Until I get into this pretty red dress My eyes can’t lie my dick won’t rest Until I get into this pretty red dress My eyes are searchin lurking and marking her body My tongue dances my saliva flows I smile she smiles Ha ha piece of cake Ill be in her bed tonight Jus another hoe Who was weakened by my sight Hi I say what you doing tonight to my surprise I get lost in her eyes she’s a different kinda girl she ain't fallin for my charm This gon take some work Gotta put in overtime If I really wanna make this pussy mine a week a day whatever its gonna take Sooner or latah I kno she will break Then and only then will I be satisfied Sex is my disease that has devoured me It comes to me so easy breezy Like a buffet different platters an different trays REd 42 That I neva had to work to get it came free No ones eva said no to me So I don't get her Maybe my plan will work if I befriend her and gain her truss She's so beautiful Its a must I'm in lust I need to buss Come here gyal I want to say Say and yell and grab her away away to a place where she can be mine Mine all mine my her pussy's so divine Devine and sweet and I jus want to beat It up and then rest But I cannot rest till I'm in that pretty red dress by Miss Cola 43 REd 3 a.m. Like a head on collision Throwing him from his sleep Slapping away that middle of the morning day dream It’s creeping up the sheets Settling in that hollow space between flesh and blood Fresh hopes and rancid love It’s an itch in his skin Making the space between his fingers titillate It’s a prick in his thoughts He’s unable to scratch a hunger of the mind Left unsatisfied So he eyes the empty wine bottle and wishes he had bought two But it’s three a.m. now The smoking hour The get high, forget life hour and it’s getting harder to find Getting harder and harder to decipher The rhymes his mind makes These crimes of perception stealing time away The tricks his thieving eyes play at four a.m. When you see a man alone at a kitchen table Surrounded by four walls and a cigarette You’d will it to be a blunt too Fill your lungs up and devour that demon of feeling Seems good when freedom’s burning at the tip of your tongue But the saddest part is when the fire dies You see yourself in that last breath of smoke all your hopes reduced to dust Life’s loneliness wrapped up in that last puff The saddest part is when the fire dies and you’re still trying to take another pull Take another pull Take another pull on the night. by amber 44 REd Empty Fills What do I say to an empty page preeing me with nothing to say? Tells me look deep, and I just stare away. But soon enough I feel the pen start to sway into alphabet spirals. The ether in me is invited to dance. Expressions take a chance to explain to this blank page my feelings locked away. Is my pen the key or my courage unlocking destiny? I mean what is meant to be just happens right? Wordz take flight. My mind is moving through time and space trying to remember my past life birthplace. What brought me here? FEaR?...........FEaR of Mastering FEaR? To come here again and steer my vessel aGaIN!!!! Repetition a friend that never leaves, but has tricks up the sleeves. I begin to believe that repetition is good when good repeats, but wanna blame the devil game when BaD brings HEaT. and when BaD repeats, who then is repetition to me? Leaves me confused like a prison inmates, fresh bait to a world outside paradise gates. So I guess that's why we are sometimes met with the blank page to make sense of the mess. So I mess up this page up with the CRUMP, and let loose. Reminded of the melanated ones with a noose round they neck squeezing the life dead........hung heads. I live to tell a tale....Stories achieve and stories fail. Will my stories sail across seas, through skies breeze and land in minds like my wordz land these lines of the blank page? This world a stage to perform my symphony. I pray ears listen to me. by Rootz Kizzy REd 45 My attitude Don’t like my attitude? Do you think I am uneducated, ghetto an rude? Do you think I am conceited? Do you assume I’m broken? and that my soul has been defeated? You based all these assumptions just off my attitude? Judging me before you even know who I am! My aTTITUDE is what lets me take a stand against people like you! You don’t know where I’ve come from, or that I am a single mother with a son, Just trying to get by day by day, Still you have way too much to say! You don’t know why I have cried my tears, or why I hold on to my fears, Where you there when my dreams were crushed? No! Your opinions, they come like a rush, overwhelming, You must stop! I got my aTTITUDE For people just like you Uneducated opinionated and rude! by Niki 46 REd Scribbles my aFRo’s as big as a mushroom cloud cuz i’ve got WaR on my mind MaSS MEDIa missiles aimed at my cerebellum i try to tell ‘em that i’m innocent but they keep insisting every instant that i’m THINKING i’m a menace to THE SYSTEM a suspect, armed and dangerous, simply because i QUESTIoN by amber meta4 Meta4 48 Zig Zag Grown, ripped and separated from my bush Greens, blacks & brown Sorted into a baggie Distributed about My package is strong smelling Head rush Zig Zag joined as 2 Cut down sprinkled Rolled Very tight So tight I am cut by the tip Lighter flicked on fire burning I am lit up Puff puff pass I’m going around Burning slow Rim of me wet wit saliva Now I burn slower Zig zag in-hailed Coughing, choking Make you sometimes think, Sometimes I make you not remember… by ashley 49 Meta4 Roof & Ground I WILL WaIT FoR YoU I WILL BE HERE WHEN YoU’RE GoNE I WILL BE HERE WHEN YoU GET BaCK I WILL NEVER LEaVE YoU THE oNLY TIME YoU NoTICE oR TaKE a GooD LooK aT ME IS WHEN YoU’RE LaYING oN YoUR BaCK THEN YoU REaLIZE. I WaS THERE aLoNG . YoU STEP oN ME YoU KICK ME SCUFF ME SoMETIMES YoU PUNCH ME PUT So MUCH PRESSURE oN ME YoU DoNT EVEN KNoW IF I CaN HaNDLE IT THEN YoU TURN aRoUND aND CLEaN ME UP LIKE IT NEVER HaPPENED. by Rochelle 50 Meta4 ode to Clyde He is strong, reliable, my ride or die forever He's my best friend, my main man who leaves me never We have several commonalities We like the same color blue You like to ride n I like to ride in yu too Do yu memba when we first met Ya I kno yu do I knew right away that I loved yu and I'd always be true True you and I had our ups and downs You've made me cry and you've made me frown but regardless me n yu always be cruisin town Made me look good when mans dem be around Yu was born is 02 an me in 89 But together we both shined I gotchu Boo hoo I heard the horrible news The man at the shop hit me wit these big ass blues I loved yu more than a brand new pair of shoes Heard yu was dying got me sighin..jus all crazy upset Jus here reminiscing again bout when we first met Hmmm how could I forget Got all my belongings set and I was free and I see my baby was stuntin like me Gotta be grateful for yu sharin yur life with me Yu been alive for 8 and mine for 4 I'd never close the door But once more I love yu Yu were always by my side I was yur bonnie and yu my clyde My ride or die Good-bye to my supa fly Car by Miss Cola 51 Meta4 Yellow i am creamed with sugar sweet-mixed butter glowing in your baked goods warming your belly i am golden vanilla, plucked sunflower petals, perfumed in lemon zest and sunshine by Whitney 52 Meta4 Sunn You beg for me when I’m not around wishing you had my rays Though sometimes you hide in the shade when I’m shining through for you just the way you asked me to You run for water and cold things instead You always complain when I’m not around when I show my love back to you it’s too much and you going inside to feel cool to escape from me as the evening goes I turn warm beautiful orange amazing to look or stare at you try 2 stay up with me till I settle You can’t wait to see me in the morning when I rise Rayn Warm and cozy is how I feel when you’re around never can I get enough of you wanting to leave your fresh scent in the air Stormy times though I never care Draining sounds surround me The love I have for you I can wipe away but the puddles still remain by Raine luv 54 Luv.?! Untitled When he speaks to me My spirit stands frozen It listens Listens to the rhythm of his tone His tone ooooh his tone Puts a vibrating ring to my phone In my soul on underneath My skin tone He’s my forever and will be my never by ashley 55 Luv.?! Hennessey The memories tracing my skin disguise themselves as your fingertips. When I lick my lips I taste stale Hennessy-stained kisses, like bitter grains of sugar, and wonda how long before the sweat of your flesh no longer chokes me? Your phantom smile, that playground grin of mischief, still lingers in the shadows. My breath smells of your promises, the ones you whispered into my lungs like smoke. I still cough up the blackened, unfulfilled hopes and spit childhood dreams unto dirty concrete streets, pretty rings and first kisses chasing the gutter. Mommi always said, ‘watch yuhself.’ But images in a mirror aren’t always what they appear; no matter how long you look. I try to kill the fear buried in my belly – but it’s already a dried-up seed, starved of light and love. How did one mid-summa night touch become my only truth? July heat pressin’ down on our bodies like a heavy hand, strangling the air, tryin’ to suffocate those sinista sounds. But nothing’ can drown the symphony of a city soaked with sweat, rum and lust. Those cries grab the heavens, dance around a mango-coloured moon and fall with the stars like the glitter from my eyes. I smelt you, smelt you before I saw you. Hennessey. by amber 56 Luv.?! Feverish Buzz Warm blood running through me my body he was into it holding hands we were intimate kissing on his full lips he’s gripping on ma thighs while I gaze into his eyes heavy breathing in my chest now he’s feeling up my breast we gon thrust and then slam to the beat of our heartbeats wrapped up in da sheets do anything to get a piece of you but somehow it feels as if I’m leasing you ask me not to fake when all you do is pretend tried to tell you how I feel but, you was too busy gettin in. by Shanae 57 Luv.?! Telephone Booth Speak Millions To Me Cream, Black, Gold, Dreads Fair Skinned Telephone Booth Realness…… Staring Wit Determination With Struggle With Heart, With Mission Rectangles, Squares Blues, Whites open Mouth, Big Thick Lips Facial Hair…. Dem Tattoos “Soooooo Sexy”…. Moisturized Lips Shiny Chain…. “Ballin” Graffiti….. In The Mist Into The Night air…. The Night Sky….. Woolen Vest Fall Time, Struggle Time… Hungry Time, Get My Money Time Hood Time Night Time, Right Time…. Wanting More, Yearning For More…. Eyes Glaring Murda Man Flocka Mad at all This Government Shit Coming for these Niggaz Tonight…. angry Searching For More…. by ashley 58 Luv.?! Subway Love on the subway subway subway one day I was on the subway Sunday I was on the subway Comin from church Got lost on the subway But found yur love on that same subway The Sheppard way My final stop 1 bus To my destination 1 must wonder how it came to be Yu an me Beautiful sight to see My insecurities an my past have haunted me until yu came n set me free Showed me a love that I never thought existed Told me to love myself and be me and that’s real In that moment as I stepped off the train I looked up yu looked at me an for a spit second life and time jus paused Doo doo doo Doors be closin I be walkin Felt a hand Take me hand an lead me away Lol wth I got lost in his brown eyes Hmmm his brown eyes Wasn't tellin no lies Said he loved my thighs He smile I smile What's ya name Cola yurs Chef Cute so wassup Nun yu oh boo I had to holla at yu Cause yu be mighty fine in that tight ass skirt ass so big an poppin Luv.?! 59 almost lost my shirt I chuckle a bit n my bat my eyes Pinch me I'm in a dream This mans way to fly Down to business How much kids yu got 3 yu 1 Man Naw Girl Naw Numba Pause we walking an talkin tryna fine my bus Saw the sunlight shine bright and glisten off his beautiful face Truss 6'3 to 5'3 Tall to short Light skin wit braids Made me weak in the knees Please lord please Don't let this man tease me He leans close I can feel his sweet warm breath on my neck as I hold my face away He leans closer to my ear an all I hear him say Is yur so beautiful damn Gimme ya numba girl please I wanna chance to make yu smile N imma do it with ease My bus is here I gotta go I give him my numba an walk away ooo damn damn damn Is what I hear him say Sittin on the bus Ring ring Hello all I wanted to do was hear yur voice one more time Maybe we'll meet up soon But for now its js goodbye Click... by Miss Cola vizion 61 Vizion True Beauty She is the start of the day Dim at first then gradually getting brighter Protruding colors of yellow and pink Punching through the dark shadows That lingers like the fresh morning dew She offers you a chance for change Forgetting all of what happened yesterday She can be kind and unforgiving She can be calm and offer you comfort other days she can be cold and undetected But still she is constantly Reminding you it's a new day When you look at her you don’t recognize her although she's there everyday Many times you look past her or even acknowledge she is there But she is there and yet you are too blind to see Her true beauty by Niki 62 Vizion Roots & Culture Blackman, history knowledge and beads and jewelry roots, serious, tension africa shades of reds golds and green rust head wraps profiled upset, anger uprooted truth eyes are dimmed hand on jaw by Rochelle Vizion 63 When SiStars speak I feel the warmth of a goosebump adrenalin rush kind, that makes your eyes cry. Sounds of orishas, oracles, Griots, Storytellers, Truth-Revealers. I am captivated in the essence of my sisters, who are able to come to their senses knowing themselves, and giving time to write so they may share their recital on world stage. amazed are many at the wavelength their thoughts ride, but my heart beats one with them, knowing their ancient line. I give gratitude for the ties they have sealed with our anceStars. They strive to speak their experience of truth, whether balanced, acute or obtuse. Who is to say what is greater than but yourself? With the help of their heartbeat and breath, they walked the stage and stood confident happily. Inhale Exhale The breathtaking SiStars drew in the crowd gradually. Each SiStar giving a Timely presence to remember that stays with me forever. So I wrote this poem because when SiStars speak I further recognize my Strength. When SiStars speak I work harder to recognize my weaknesses. When SiStars speak I experience healing. When SiStars speak I humble to the teachings. When SiStars speak I remember my grandmothers. When SiStars speak I am reminded of a revolution of luv. When SiStars speak I know we can rise above energy-drainers, those thinking they can clone our beings in petri dish containers. When SiStars speak I see Hatshepsut, Vizion 64 Nzingah, Nefertari, Nanny, Tubman, assata, Sistah Souljah, Frances Cress Welsing, Jewel Pookrum the Doctah' Just to name a few, I told Yah' When SiStars speak truth leak. So let your teeth touch and mouth seal, because SiStars speak what is real only for you to redefine what you feel. The oppressor tried to kill the SiStar through Her Kings and Children, Land and Material, media and propaganda. Hopin that we would never get into our proppa' stansa, Because really and truly we would annihilate the massa'. and I stand here ready, like my SiStars been ready, to hold the mic and BooM airwaves. Resonating SoundPower to souls global, Noble to live heavenly life. Giving SiStars Respect seeing my reflection in their eyes. I am at Peace. by Rootz Kizzy Vizion 65 The Walk I hold onto the railing While I look into sky Thinking about my life Seeing it through black and white Seem worried What I would say to God Taking my time to heaven by Latoya Vizion 66 Lucid dreams I'm dreaming dreams so vividly Wide open, my heart like a dove's wings spread wide Love is me and it glides across the sky Everything I've been searching for has always been inside I was out for a ride Searching through the amazons and rain forests outside Then the rain came, pouring harder than a person who is dying for fame The vanity turned most of us into insanity It's a rat race out there and this is what life handed me So I handed her a promise that it would only get better Creator we are in this together I see a path before me but I swear I've seen it before I know I've been here before Indigo skies in my mind I don't hide Let pride wither and die Crumble beneath my feet and reside My womb captures all my deepest thoughts and desires My inner Goddess taking my higher I am the fuel that broadens my flame, my fire I lose myself in the midst of life, it's a blur a blur, that I conquered I sit on my throne, true Lioness Lioness on my throne That used to sleep with a phone Underneath her pillow Like a weeping willow by Stephanie Vizion 67 This is for the Young ones and this is for the young ones thinking they gotta be wannabes rollin around in mini niki minaj crews but i ask you, when has a mirage ever proven true? don’t be mislead by the pretty things pretty wings meant to fly not to hide ur eyes fake lashes and fake clothes false knowings and false goals don’t you think you’re worth more than a pound of fake gold? forget about the baubles shine from truth shine for you… by Shanae 68 the authors Quiet but powerful, calm yet dramatic, amber’s words blaze the page, painting portraits of pain, love and truth. Through writing, designing and illustrating, she will continue tackling art in all its life forms. ashley is a single independent mom focused on honesty and living life full force. Poetry is her escape from the world and its troubles. With words on her mind and her head on her shoulders, she lives by the motto Go hard or go home! With words at times gritty, and at time playful, Chauncey has explored her poetic voice in the Lit4Life creative writing & reading circle. Gabriella has stretched her imagination with her expressive poetry, telling stories and sharing emotions in her work. Georgina's poetry resonates with experience and insight, and skillfully deals with themes ranging from struggle to overcoming to triumph. Latoya is a mother and emerging creative writer in the Women Moving Forward program. Her poetic voice is a welcome addition to "Holla!" Makida is a talented mother of one, young but mature, strong minded, empathetic, collected and never lets anyone feel alone. She wants to become a social worker to inspire other young people. Maltia is passionate about reading, writing and her daughter. She enjoys writing in her journal, as well as creating poetry. Her dream is to one day write her own memoir. With love and respect for life and God, Miss Cola embraces life’s challenges to the fullest. She seeks to express the truth through music, poetry, storytelling and her autobiography-in-progress. 69 Nikita is a writer, fighter and a mother. Her writing is real and speaks the truth. She is hoping to continue following her dreams and become a writer/journalist. Raine is a lyricist, poet and mom, who shares words of wisdom and experience flavored with roots, culture and rhythm. Rochelle was a product of her environment, a mother of 4 who would be oppressed no more. She got up one day and went through the door - a Woman Moving Forward. I spread my wings out; now watch me soar. Roots Kizzy’s passion is to have her powerful words penetrate minds with her floetic heart-felt lyrics. a rising voice on the spoken word scene, with a new book on the way, she is working hard to have her words heard all over the world. Full of flavour and internal rhyme, Shanae’s words & lyrics take you through a storyline. a loving mother, she hopes to reach the lives of those entangled in a hurricane of emotions that restricts them from over coming the storm. Stephanie has a writer inside, that expresses herself through poetic words. With dreams and determination, she is the mom of a young son. Embracing the power of words, Whitney writes fiction, screenplays and most recently poetry, which she shares with the world through her blog writinginatree.com. a creative writing grad, her debut collection is ready to be born. outro Literature for Life is committed to building a culture of literacy and learning for young mothers and their families, through the Women With Words reading and writing circles, programs, publications and creative community partnerships, which promote access, education and empowerment. Charitable Registration No:89431 8617RR0001 www.literatureforlife.org Women Moving Forward is designed to give young families the foundation they need to successfully attain security and independence. The young mothers in WMF are ambitious, strong women who are determined to move forward in their lives for the sake of their children’s futures. www.womenmovingforwardcanada.org a powerful collection of wordz from fresh new poetik voices, that whisper, resonate, echo, punctuate, speechify & HoLLa! Holla! a Collection of Womenz Wordz Featuring amber Williams King ashley Dyett Chauncey Boyce Gabriella Paz Georgina ortiveros Ruiz Latoya Dwyer Makida Jones Maltia Noddle Miss Cola Niki Roberge Raine Browne Rochelle David Rootz Kizzy Shanae Smith Stephanie Bedard Dempster Whitney French