What's In a Name?
For what do I carry you like a special mark
Like a brand I recognize, not you
I live in it like an old tree lives in its bark
Lashed and leashed to nothing new
Yet you are mine, my first piece of property
My bargain to belong to a history
I own what I paid nothing for, my first jewelry
A gift to your claim on me: ancestry?
In some far forgotten place of sacred meaning
It would have summed me for all
To understand my life, character's firm clothing
For some a honey throne, for others gall
Did anyone ask me, did I have a choice in this
Ascribed distinction of individuality?
Something unjust warps truth, while you insist
On hypocritical values of equality.
Take name and this history from me, and see
Joy eagles unfettered skies, for I
Am made to bear the master's vilest identity
Imposed on race with dark slavery
Gathered from our Africa home, stripped bare
Like the land, raped and mined of who
I am, without continuity, or exit from this fear
Searching for my past, my name leads to you.
And my older brothers, children of broken bonds
Meet as strangers in a callous street
Nameless, tongueless, uncultured hate stands
In broken memory at thy devil's feet.
Copyright © L'Nass Shango | Year Posted 2009
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment