“A-who a say who dat, when me a say a-who dat?” Michael Smith, 1982

the story is in the word, in the rhythm
that is the music in the word, that is… the story.

Click on an image to read the poem.

Untitled

My heart cried
Long tears of sorrow
My eyes were dry

My head screamed
High, suffocating moans
My voice was silent

My body bowed
Under the heavy load
My shoulders braced to carry

I travelled a ragged road
I walked long
I walked
My feet dragged
My sole
Was torn
My knees were lacerated on the stony ground
I fell
I fell down
HARD.