We are Not Your Problem

Credit:Dmytro Lialiuk

Finding myself in spaces where the words are starting to come. This piece arose out of the last gathering of the Diasporic Hush Harbor in the Rooted Global Village which was curated musically by Cliff Berrien.

I also want to acknowledge my Red Thread Collective partner, Lisbeth White, whose literary talent and expertise enrich my world in various ways and specifically on this poem. Much gratitude to you, my dear!

You    cannot    
                      erase      Us.
You cannot 
                          erase 
Us.

We        are not       
             the cause 
                                 of your problems.
My body, 
my         imagination, 
my                            song 
             are 
not the source 
                                 of your problems.

The struggle     of 
                              my ancestors
                              my struggle
to survive, 
                to create, 
                                to dance
              is 
                                   not the source of 
                   your shame, 
                   your response is.

You    cannot      erase      me.
      You          cannot 
                                              erase me.

We exist 
                     as before
outside of 
                    your          imagination
            in 
                            multiple 
                                                       dimensions
we 
                were here 
                             before 
       western                           empire
we           will        be         here          long       after.

You 
          could 
                        exist too.
Un   erase 
                                          your              
                                                      self.