JHELISA’S SONG
-1-
FAR I HAVE COME
People don’t know
How hard it be
To be something
Other than what the system
Allows/encourages/rewards/needs/trains/indoctrinates
Tortures/offers/defines
To be something other
Is a dangerous
Extremely isolating
Profession
People will look at you and ask
(in all seriousness)
So what do you do?
And when you say:
I be something else
So few will accept/understand
That something else
Is cool to be
People will fail
To understand how
Being something else
Is an honorable life profession
Especially when we are
Walking through the valley
Of death
-2-
FAR I MUST GO
Look at this
Woman
‘s face
facing
whatever
future tomorrow
might bring
which, of course,
in her case will be
partially shaped by the fierce
of her tender spirit
hard shell
soft center
her spirit is
must be strong
to keep from being eaten
by isms/schisms
by enemies of life
enemies of light
enemies who are
afraid of our dark
check this woman
facing us
with music
facing us
with example
with wise words
warm words
soft/strong song
encouraging us
we don’t have to
break down
we don’t have to
be silent
we don’t have to
9 to 5
we don’t have to
back down
-3-
WHATEVER IT IS
Whatever it is
Jhelisa is
Whatever it is
That won’t let her be
Stupid Silent Submissive
While struggling
Within the storm
Of human destruction
Humans destroying humanity
Each other
Ourselves
Whatever it is
That teaches a sister
That encourages a sister
That enables a sister
Whatever it is
I say: Ashe
Jhelisa is
Jhelisa
Is
Jhelisa
Is
And we are the better
Because Jhelisa is
—kalamu ya salaam