AnythingUrban - by R Eldridge

A Woman is Not a Potted Plant - Alice Walker

 

The poem "A Woman is Not a Potted Plant," written by Alice Walker, explains how women aren't stationed in one place based on their gender, race, nationality, family, or husband. She uses different plants to symbolize women who are defined by the characteristics listed above, such as espaliers, which are bushes meant to grow against walls. She also describes a blossom turning towards the direction of the sun to symbolize a woman who is dependent on other people. She then describes how a woman is wilderness only because she is free, and that she is not confined like a potted plant. Overall, this poem is illustrating how women are viewed in our society as property, tied down to their husbands or their houses.

 

 

Maybe Lies Help: Questions For Boys Who Break Things (and People)

if you were offered  a candy coated
heart
would you take it?
or would you ask for something
made of barbed wire
a poison apple, maybe
a death soaked kiss from a stranger
which one?
you who offers nothing
would you pull the wings off another butterfly?
hold an angel by the throat and dare it to scream?

who are you really?
do you know?
more than a heartless shell
a soulless mess
if the truth showed it’s face
would you recognize it?
would you lie to keep
it from revealing your secrets?
what of  those puzzle pieces hidden in
a chest of drawers behind your bed?

My Letter to Alice Walker

Dear Alice Walker,

Alice, you are a national treasure.  I have a profound love for your work as an activist and as an author, so I would like to share my love with you.  You have an internal flame that is so beautiful.  You are one of the few women on this Earth that causes me to stop whatever it is that I am doing the moment I hear your voice.  You shared your life, your garden, and your beautiful home and memoirs with viewers for almost 3 hours last May, (see this amazing video here) and I continue to draw inspiration from your perspective, your passions, and your detail for life and all that is within.  You balance the world by sharing.

In your May 2008 interview, you share the pain and anxiety experienced in your childhood and how life events have shaped you - as an author, you bring a spiritual perspective that has forged a union with your heart.  You share how you keep your last name in memory of your Grandmother, as a former slave that lived to be 125 years old.  She walked with her children... she was relentless... and she did this tirelessly.  Your love of nature and the "oneness" that you found with the clouds, animals and the world is truly inspirational.  You are a peace activist, and your activities in seeking solidarity with humanity is renowned.  You also have a message of love that brings tears as each book is read.  And it is great to know that (as you stated), tears "are made to simply wash your window."

"Sista to Brotha"... by S.L. Jones

Yo Fellas, put on your hard hat, this is truly a heart felt poem.

S.L. Jones is the author of a childrens book entitled 'My Mother Doesn't Look Like Me'.  She is also a teacher that drew inspiration for this book from one of the families at her school.  She is currently working on publishing her first volume of poetry.  I can't wait.  Enjoy this great poem.

Sista to Brotha by S.L.Jones

Say, Brotha, may I please have just a minute of your time?
Ain't meanin' to disturb you, but there's something on my mind.
You see, lately I've noticed when it's time to choose your mate
she looks less and less like me...
am I something that you hate?
I mean, does my cocoa complexion not quite fill your heart with bliss?
Are these full lips not as tender as the thinner ones you kiss?
Do these brown eyes not sparkle or shine quite as brightly as the blue?
Or, perhaps this kinky hair's not good enough to run your fingers through?

Are these broad hips not inviting, nor this derriere divine?
Sweet chocolate treasures do await you - yet you settle for alpine.
Why shun this silken haven? Do you not value its worth?
Lest you forget, twas one just like it that once gave yo ass birth!
Excuse me? Hell, I know I sound bitter! Don't you think I've cause to be, 
when all that you desire is the opposite of me? I mean,
what seems to be the problem? I was once what you pursued.
Now you say I'm ghetto, loud, got too much a-ti-tude!
Talkin' 'bout I'm aggressive. Unh, unh, I ain't havin' it.
What you mean is I'm too headstrong to put up with all yo shit!
Look, go ahead, parade her around...puff out your chest with pride;
but, don't you DARE condemn me if I choose to cross to the other side.
'Cuz while I want a strong, BLACK man to caress and hold me tight...
I WILL settle for another...long as he treats me right.
Oh, yes, I'll find someone who appreciates my hue, and maybe HE can revel in the treasures that I once had stored for you!

--------------------------------

I really felt awkwardly inflamed after reading this.  Why?  Well... I can't speak for the brothers that desire to be with a White woman because I really can't put myself in those shoes.  I just find this to be one of the MOST difficult topics to discuss because "Love is love" right?  I would say yes, but not everyone sees this point of view.  Imagine, if you create a forum... topic "Interracial Dating" - bring in a Black woman, a Black man, a White woman, and a White man - how would this conversation go?  What kind of feelings would emerge from this?  Frustration, intrigue (?), curiosity, hurt, laughs (?), loss, gain, misunderstanding (?)... this could be explosive, huh?

Do you relate to S.L. Jones? 

Speak your piece...

My Love Jones: I Dream of Nia

...sometimes you picture me--
I'm walking too far ahead
you're calling to me, I can't hear
what you've said--
Then you say--go slow--
I fall behind--
the second hand unwinds

(chorus):
if you're lost you can look--and you will find me
time after time
if you fall I will catch you--I'll be waiting
time after time

'Time After Time', by Cyndi Lauper