comfortable (inspired by the festivities as the 1st Annual Leimert Part Art & Music Festival 9/7/09)

i feel comfortable here
it almost is weird
feeling free to be myself,
not adjusting for fear
of unacceptance
or feeling the disgust of someone
else's distaste
to be in a setting where my blackness is embraced
i love wearing my cornrows or cropped curly hair,
and still feel gorgeous and makin' dudes stare
i love when black men bow down to me
and call me their sister
despite of not looking like the
girls in magazine pictures
I love seeing black women
carrying black children
black men by their side
and black people in business
articulate words uttered from the thickest lips
men of every race
clamoring for the sister with big hips
children are running
and the music is playing
watching my mama
bobbin' her head
in the air her hands swaying
seeing my people two steppin'
on the concrete floor
brothers embracing their brothers
some rich some poor
there's a strong sense of pride
and sense of relief
not over politics
just happy for peace
if only for a moment
that time has stood still
when we loved our skin color
like we wished others will
i love being amongst family from another race
who accept us as we are and appreciate our taste,
our creativity,
our vibrance,
our jazz,
our spunk,
our blues,
our hip hop,
our strength,
our funk,
when hearing soulful voices and the ringing of laughter
i feel more free than my hair with a relaxer

Copyright ©2009 Jasmine Powers

Views: 125

Comment

You need to be a member of Leimert Park Beat to add comments!

Join Leimert Park Beat

Comment by enhager on March 17, 2010 at 1:05pm
So glad you put it here as well.

please notice the facebook and twitter buttons at the bottom of the post. You or any of the readers can click on the icons and it will post to your twitter or facebook accounts. Try it - so easy and useful.

I saw it on Facebook too and loved it. I meant to comment - but I was at work and when I got home I forgot. But I tweeted and facebooked it - people need to hear it.
Comment by Jasmine Powers on March 15, 2010 at 9:23pm
Ed, I hung out in Leimert Park this weekend. Brought some friends down for food on Degnan. Then today I wrote a poem about Leimert on Facebook, tagged you in it and everything and FB freaked out and I couldn't post it. Guess it's time to use Word to compose first!
Comment by enhager on March 15, 2010 at 2:23pm

From hannibaltharadio - with MEDUSA!
Comment by enhager on September 18, 2009 at 7:35am
It is definitely a piece I want to see and hear as it is read by the author.
Comment by Karimu Ali on September 17, 2009 at 4:58pm
Hi Jasmine: As one of the producers of the 1st Annual Leimert Park Arts & Music Festival--I just have to say THANK YOU! I really really.....appreciate your poem. I'm going to share it with the other producers of the show. You make us very proud--it's such a strong poem. We are inviting you to come to the Kwanzaa Heritage Festival Dec. 26 & 27 in the same place and you will feel the same good feelings!
Peace Karimu We would love to invite you to do this poem at the Kwanzaa Heritage Festival on Dec. 26th or 27th. Just email me if u would like to at karimu87@yahoo.com
Comment by Jasmine Powers on September 8, 2009 at 1:12pm
Ha! I sure did omit the food. Awww, it was just too much good going on I could've gone on for much longer. Also, shout out to Carlos Spivey (I want all of the mosiacs!!!), Wendell Wiggins (for the most happy and colorful Eve I'v ever seen), Felicia the earring lady (for hooking me up as usual), and Phillips BBQ (for making me go home and get some ribs that we'd already made. Sho did smell good, mmm!)
Comment by Ernie Mixon on September 8, 2009 at 10:24am
That was beautiful my sister.. those are the reasons I love why I LOVE LEIRMERT PARK!
Comment by Hosea on September 8, 2009 at 10:03am
Thxs 4 taking me to the "1st Annual Leimrt Park Art & Music Festival". So vivid your depiction of "the Village". "Watching my mama-bobbin' her head" is picturesque. The poem conveyed a sense of beaking bread. Oh by the way, I read the poem twice. Are we on a diet? No one ate any food.

Leimert Park Beat is the news and social network for Leimert Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Stay informed. Join now!

 

• Got news you think everyone should know? Blog it.

• Have a show or attending a benefit? Put it on the calendar.
• Video of the big game? Embed it.
• Photos of your business or the school play? Upload them.

WHAT STORIES WOULD YOU SUGGEST? Let me know.

With your help, LeimertParkBeat.com raised money to hire reporters, graphic artists and community members to cover our area.
Read the stories - Urban Economy 411, Redevelopment Hell and One of these don't belong.

Latest Activity

Dr. Angela Butts Chester posted a blog post

Cynthia Corsetti and Dr. Angela Butts Chester: Pioneering Leadership Excellence

Renowned leadership coach Cynthia Corsetti, with nearly 13 years of experience in coaching C-suite executives, unveils a groundbreaking approach to leadership development. Drawing from her extensive background as a former C-suite executive herself,…See More
yesterday
Stevie Mack posted a blog post

Comedian Stevie Mack Performing Live at The Comedy Store

Friday April 12th @ 6pmStevie Mack performs stand up comedy with a nice line up of funny Comedians. Location:THE COMEDY…See More
Mar 22
Dr. Angela Butts Chester posted a blog post

Embark on a Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery with "Emerge with Self-Love"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEEmbark on a Transformative Journey of Self-Discovery with "Emerge with Self-Love"Long Beach, CA, March 7, 2024 – Today marks the release of a groundbreaking collaborative effort, "Emerge with Self-Love," a motivational guide…See More
Mar 7
Dr. Angela Butts Chester posted a blog post

Worlds Leaders Magazine Interviews Dr. Angela Butts Chester

Supporting Empowerment and Fulfillment through Empathic LeadershipDr. Angela Butts Chester epitomizes empathic leadership, viewing it as more than just a means to accomplish tasks and achieve goals—it’s about prioritizing people. With a deep-seated…See More
Feb 19
Dr. Angela Butts Chester posted a blog post
Feb 12
Mistah Wilson posted events
Jan 20
Dr. Angela Butts Chester posted a blog post

PASSIONEER Magazine | January 2024

Welcome to our latest issue of PASSIONEER Magazine where we unravel the secrets to thriving in the winter months with a focus on wellness, style, and unwavering resilience. In this edition, we delve into the unique challenges posed by winter and…See More
Jan 18
SPMG Media posted a blog post
Jan 5

© 2024   Created by enhager.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service