April is National Poetry Month. I’m starting early and sharing my poetic anthem born in Thea Matthew’s Writing for Poetry and Resiliency class. Poetry is part of my healing and self-care.
What is your personal anthem?

Black on Purpose
By: Kelechi Ubozoh
I am Black on purpose
Magic in my DNA
There is power in my lineage
Strength and sweat with my ancestors
Dance in my hips and love in my bones
I am Black on purpose
Why else would they try to break my heart, mind, and body?
Silence my words?
Brainwash my intellect?
I am Black on purpose
Not to serve you, save you, or reflect you
I am Black on purpose, but not your Black heroine
Liberation whispered as libations are poured
Altars built from the Black bodies before me
Frenzied chants, gospel songs, and cries
Can’t be me or break me
So, you try to kill me
You worked so hard to extinguish this fire…
But don’t you know I am Black phoenix?
Reborn
My life doesn’t end, it transforms
Rising to the spirit realms, the cosmos
This time and every time, I will return.
I am Black on purpose
No mistakes made in the creation of my soft brown skin and chocolate eyes
My commanding curls refuse to be programmed
My stomach refuses to be starved
I am Black on purpose and the version of my soul will heal the past that wished to be anyone
Longed to fit in, longed for an invisibility cloak
We heal broken parts that were taught to turn against ourselves and our soul family
There is magic in the DNA libations, liberations, and power.
We are Black on purpose.
2 Responses
Perfect
Write on!