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| Photo by Diego Morales on Unsplash |
It starts at the core of us,
in that layer resistant
to all attempts of taming.
It’s in the way we sway
in that roll of hip and tongue
in that part that rejects respectable
straight jackets that flatten us to one dimension.
Our authenticity is dynamite
ready to blow up outdated definitions.
We sing our whole and holy words
punctuated by hallelujahs
for all of our possibilities.
for all of our possibilities.
This poem is linked to Poets United’s Wild Friday and
Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads: Just One Word—Dynamite
Liner Notes for this Groove: I’ve read a lot of poetry
collections that have moved me. But when I picked up the Poet X by ElizabethAcevedo it was like finding a long-lost family member. All I needed was a can
of Inca Cola and a plate of lomo saltado nearby to take me completely back to my
childhood. Ms. Acevedo finds so many of the words I felt but couldn’t say as a
kid. I have to say I felt a little Molly Grue when I finished it (where was
this book when I was young and hungry for something like this?), but I am truly happy to have encountered it at any age.
What a strong and engaging poem - and I love your affection for your old poetry memories
ReplyDeleteThanks Jae
DeleteWell I certainly felt that way as a teen, rubbing my hands with glee that I was free and soon married willing to take on the world and don't feel like stopping yet over sixty years later.
ReplyDeleteYouth certainly has no shortage of exuberant moments
DeleteSing it, sister, sing it!
ReplyDeleteTa-la-LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteThis is absolutely fantastic, Rommy!❤️ I love; "We sing our whole and holy words punctuated by hallelujahs for all of our possibilities," and will surely check out the poetry collection Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo! Thank you so much for introducing me to her and for writing to the prompt!❤️
ReplyDeleteIt's this odd hybrid of collection of poems that make up a novel, but yes, I think you will enjoy it. :)
DeleteI think Poet X is now a book I will have to read! "It starts at the core of us" the part at the centre, the wild part, the part that resists "taming." This has such a feeling of the wild woman about it. All roundness and curves that no "straight jacket" could confine. There's no insanity, just authenticity of being.
ReplyDeleteExactly. There's a lot of power in claiming our authentic selves.
DeleteThis is so awesome — especially Stanza 2.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAn uplifting write. Loving that resistant layer.
ReplyDeleteAs do I
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteIndeed
DeleteI am glad you are reclaiming your heritage.
ReplyDeleteThanks Toni
Delete"whole and holy words" Wow! "Dynamite"!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan
DeleteWhat a profound writing. So very many meanings within those words So many issues can be found. Excellent write.
ReplyDeleteAs I intended. :) Thank you!
DeleteOh, I love this, Rommy! Love. I will definitely read Poet X, thank you for sharing that. Explosive, all for the good.
ReplyDeleteI really love that collection of poetry. I'm hoping to have some time to read it out loud with darling youngest. :)
DeleteModern "Taming of the Shrew?"
ReplyDeleteNice Dynamite usage, blowing up.
..
Thanks Jim
DeleteI'm feeling extremely smug because I knew you had chosen to write about The Poet X even before I read the ending notes. I love that your poem express the taste of the poetry collection and is all Rommy at the same time. Also, I love the details--refusal to conform, the roll of the tongue--leave me wanting to summon Celia Cruz, and yell, "Azuca!"
ReplyDelete*snicker* I figured you'd guess. Thank you so much for recommending it to me.
DeleteI like this a lot; it's so strong!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
Delete"It’s in the way we sway
ReplyDeletein that roll of hip and tongue"...
and "We sing our whole and holy words
punctuated by hallelujahs"...
Yup, I'm swooning!
Woot! Mischief managed. :)
DeleteVery beautifully written, every line is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sreeja
DeleteI feel every line of the poem; it's an evocative piece. As for Poet X, that book is one of my favourites, and an inspiration. Brilliant choice!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad. The Poet X was such a terrific read.
DeleteThat second stanza was a knockout!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete"We sing our whole and holy words" - sometimes when we don't even realize; sometimes in spite of ourselves trying not to. It is what makes us live! I cannot even say how much I love this poem, Rommy! Thank you for being you. :-)
ReplyDeleteAw! Thank you H. :)
DeleteExcellent write! I love this Rommy! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks! <3
DeleteI'm so glad you linked this poem again, Rommy. I love the book that inspired it, how well it sings those songs so many of us wish we knew the lyrics to when we were growing up. Like you say in your note, reading the book (and your poem) is like running into a relative who understand exactly what we are made of.
ReplyDeleteI was looking through my older stuff and this piece made me smile and remember how much I enjoyed reading that book.
DeleteI seem to have missed this on its first posting. Glad you revived it. I love the fervour of that rebellious streak.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rosemary. I had quite forgotten I wrote this and it was fun to reminisce
DeleteI can’t believe I didn’t read this poem the first time around, Rommy, but I was off-line for a while last October and November and seem to have missed quite a bit. I love the way you follow that crescendo from the core to the outpouring of song. What a lovely thought to have a ‘layer resistant to all attempts of taming’!
ReplyDeleteI certainly think it's worth our time to cultivate a layer like that
DeleteI, too, missed it 1st time around, but I'm blown away now for sure. My hat's off. Well done, Rommy
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ron
DeleteAn amazing poem! Light and explosion and no more straitjackets.
ReplyDeleteThanks C! It was fun to revisit this one again.
DeleteWell hallelujah for authenticity! Great poem.
ReplyDeleteAuthenticity gets an amen from me!
DeletePowerful! love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ayala
DeleteSwing and sway, rock and roll ... getting real. Yes.
ReplyDeleteReal as real can be
DeleteWonderful! There is an embrace - and triumph - of strength and sensuality and possibilities and roots, in these words - that is truly palpable and stirring ... and which put me in mind of: 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou. Fantastic writing!
ReplyDeleteThat's a HUGE compliment! Thank you!!!
DeleteOoh, this is fierce and powerful!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts!
ReplyDelete