WE USED TO COULD
We used to could ‘cause we used to did
All day and twice as much at night
Picking stars out our teeth and licking moonlight
As we oohed and ahhed embracing the fire
Of willing flesh opening itself to passion’s penetration
They ban books that show you how to make love
Claim sex is nasty and always was originally
So who fucked mary & with whom
Did eve’s children have children?
Restricting what people agree to with each other
Is the beginning of fascism
We used to could go naked without shame
Why is the curriculum they teach called a canon?
Haven’t we had enough violence visited upon us?
We used to study ourselves before they gave us books
We used to sit in a circle, laugh and listen one to another
Now we sit in rows looking at the teacher
Telling us everything as if we know nothing
Each life is a book
Each experience a lesson
When will we become the curriculum?
Our lives again be what matters?
—kalamu ya salaam