Poem inspired by the poetic masterpiece, “Poem for July 4, 1994” by Sonia Sanchez
Rolling fog knows not of resistance;
low lying as it is,
it can’t possibly perceive the intention
of ravens soaring through its swirling waves—
inquisitively bobbing
and hoping to probe into matters
before leaping upward through the misty air.
It is essential to remember how cold
winter can be,
how unforgiving, as corpse produces confetti
for head-shots;
as ragged hopes of people hold on to image
of what’s happening—
I fight myself to be still in this moment,
to refuse to settle for anything less
when I think of offenders having the best tea
in Florence;
it’s amazing, how they can even look into
the mirror these days.
We refuse to be silent; to be bystanders
as the horror resumes at first light,
it is essential that foliage and bud be grafted,
it is essential that trumpets sound
so that one can taste the luscious blend of mutiny;
we are a long way from fading,
from becoming ghosts and goblins in chemise,
from choosing to be in a hidey hole,
as leaves separate from frost—
The season performs a masquerade in reverse;
pretending to be dormant,
when in truth blossoms await the softening sky,
acoustic version of twilight
nourishing the faith of nation,
I fall like rain into its arms,
into its arms I find that words have a momentum,
that’s unstoppable,
the heart cannot help the way it pounds,
the way it wants,
the way it longs— do you agree?
it’s essential to remember how powerful resistance
can be; how powerful resistance can be.
Photo credits: Kal Gajoum Painting, Pinterest
Sarah hosts at dVerse and invites us to write inspired by a list of names
of paint colours. Come join us! ❤️
Posted for Poetics: Colour me Poetry @dVerse Poets Pub
36 Responses
You just ran with it! You used them all, gloriously! And I love that ending, I love falling like rain into someone’s arms – what a beautiful image – total immersion. Beautiful.
Thank you so much, Sarah 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt) 🌹
Kudos for the energy and courage to use all the color words. and hurrah to the anti-war pro-love messaging. I liked “it is essential that trumpets sound, so that one can taste the luscious blend of mutiny.” We found parallel tracks tonight it seems.
Thank you so much, Glenn 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
“I find that words have a momentum,
that’s unstoppable,”
May the words of peace impregnate this momentum
Much💜love
Thank you so much, Gillena 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Much love back..
Very inclusive work, beautifully put together, Saana. Congrats. Love that repeated closing phrase. Beuno. Muy.
Thank you so much, Ron 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Cheers to you for using all the paint words. I love the energy & motions of these lines:
I fall like rain into its arms,
into its arms I find that words have a momentum,
that’s unstoppable
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Resistance is indeed powerful, and never futile! A beautiful poem, Sanaa 💕
Thank you so much, Ingrid 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
Your poem is a riot of colour, without mentioning any by their familiar names.
Thank you so much, Jane 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Beautiful piece Sanaa — captivating… and I love the image of the painting! Bravo all! 🙂👍🏼✌🏼❤️
Thank you so much, Rob 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
So much rich imagery in your poem and you are very skilled at holding an idea throughout it all.
Thank you so much, Lisa 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
What I love about poets is taking a common phrase like “fall like rain” and completely transforming it by adding the personal pronoun “I fall like rain”. What an amazing image.
Aww gosh! Thank you so much, Alexandra 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
Beautiful imagery in your write, Sanaa!
Hank
Thank you so much, Hank 😀 so good to see you 💄❤️
Protest poetry taken to new heights…the confetti line……….no holding back, the season a masquerade in reverse…stunning, and ‘so that one can taste the luscious blend of mutiny’.inspiring last two lines…lovely piece Sanaa
That is such high praise! Thank you so much, Ain 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
This is absolutely beautiful! You wove it exquisitely, Sanaa. ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Punam 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
“I find that words have a momentum,
that’s unstoppable,”
And that’s why the pen is mightier than the sword.
Oh, Sanaa this write is simply glorious and you used all the words! Brava! * tosses flowers 8 Brava!
Aww gosh! Thank you so much, Raivenne 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
I fight myself to be still in this moment,
to refuse to settle for anything less
when I think of offenders having the best tea
in Florence;
these lines really speak volumes. Words from a true crusader for change.
I loved every word you used to paint this art.
Thank you so much, Ayieko 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️
How powerful indeed. A beautiful call to arms.
Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
Every line powerful, Sanaa!
“Offenders drinking the best tea in Florence”
Thank you so much, Mary 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
“acoustic version of twilight
nourishing the faith of nation,”
I love the above phrasing, and of course, your powerful ending.
Thank you so much, Sara 😀 so glad the poem resonated with you 💄❤️