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My history is too bold to be contained in one month, far less one with just 28 days
It’s lived out loud every day in every month of every year
As bold as January 1st to December 31st colliding, it’s like fireworks exploding, making its presence known

My history is birthed from the continent which cradled life—civilization’s place of first beginning
As mystically dark as before God spoke the universe into form and all that was needed came from its void
Before slavery and colonial conquest, we were … from the Nile to the Volta River valleys, from the Pyramids to Griottes/Griots’ courts—keepers of our epic prayers and stories, retold
*****
My history is too rich to be just one-and-only—it’s beautifully diverse
Birthing a people of magnificent kaleidoscopic shades of color
From chocolate-dark as starless nights to caramel-brown hues, multi-colored as sun’s light

My history is a treasure too creatively inventive to be hidden
Trailblazers are we in mathematical numbering, web-animating, traffic directing, science and technology engineering
From sanitary belt to steel pan to peanut butter. Yeah … my history’s way too expansive for this poem’s attempt to contain it … or even convey it

My history is bombastic, vaulting the Biles over racist typologies and running Bolt-fast—dismantling discrimination o’er tracks and in fields…
Whether with the noose or whatever weapons they choose, whether on sidewalks, in cars or in beds—lives being snuffed out, we shout…
From the intellectual prowess of Timbuktu’s Bamba, through to the oratory genius of King to Marley to Gorman—we challenge isms and schisms to achieve justice, one-love and inclusion for all

My history is me, I am my history—interdependently connected
Too linked to conceive of myself as separate and sovereign from others
Too deeply misunderstood not to be activist
Too beautiful not to value my worth—regardless of what others think or how they feel about me—I matter!

My history is too compassionate not to be treated with care, protected, loved without questioning
Too artistic it is in rhythm and harmony and melody not to sing it or dance it or orate it or play it—in all ways, though, honor it
Too matriarchal not to tell her-story—from Mama Africa to children of the diaspora … separate, yet equal, yet together
Too panoptic not to be a shared humanity—so I declare: “Ubuntu—I am because we are”

My history is BLACK—a collective human story
2022 ©DeeMin All rights reserved
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In creative solidarity, Dee
Beautifully written and powerfully read, Dee!
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Thanks much Lynn!!!! Appreciate your stopping by and for engaging. Cheers 😊
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What a piece a BASHMENT!! LUBBIT!!!! (MC).
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Yes hun BASHMENT noted! 😊🤗😊
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Powerful, true and too expansive to not revisit or be conscious of… Dee this is awesome
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Thanks Tony!!! From one artist to another…appreciate it!!!
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Well received and you surely are welcome and deserving
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#grateful 👍🏽😊👍🏽
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What a gorgeous poem, Dee. So powerful. This is my fav line, “ Yeah … my history’s way too expansive for this poem’s attempt to contain it … or even convey it” Wondrously expressed.
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Ahh thanks Jeff. I appreciate it very much. It’s 1 of my fav lines too — I was attempting to pack so much more in the piece then capitulated and penned that line instead😊. Cheers
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You’re most welcome, Dee. Always. Ah, well, in this instance I’m glad you capitulated, as that is a fab line. Cheers☺️
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I receive that with a smile—“fab line” 😉🙂😉
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Oh good, it is short for fabulous. ☺️
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☺️😉☺️
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I got goosebumps reading this.
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You feel me V!!!!!
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‘My history is too bold to be contained in one month…….’. Thank you for voicing this for all of us. So beautifully read. It deserves a live reading. Perhaps when Calabash starts staging again!!!
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Thanks a mil!!!
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Dee, fantastic. So deep and so beautiful. ‘My history is too bold to be contained in one month….’ . Thank you for saying it for us. It deserve a live reading. Perhaps when Calabash begin staging again!!!
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Hey Normz!!! Thanks for feedback. And YESSS to Calabash—pls let me know when they start up again. This pandemic has robbed us of sooo much eh😞
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Love this, Dee! ❤
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Thanks dear Eliza!!!!
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What a beautiful poem. A tribute to humanity.
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Thanks Sadje. Yes I wanted to emphasize that we are all connected, a shared humanity, while honoring and celebrating my heritage and history. Glad to know you got it!!! Thanks for your constant engagement. Really appreciate it!!! Cheers, Dee
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You’re welcome my friend. You’re an awesome writer. I always enjoy your posts.
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Oh how lovely!!! Thanks Sadje. You’re very kind. I enjoy your posts too. Also I may not write to all your prompts but I do follow 😊 you really help to keep creative juices flowing 👍🏽👍🏽
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You’re welcome my friend. And thanks for your kind support.
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🙏🏽😂
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You’ve spoken for us all, and spoken well. Beautiful
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Thanks Dor. Appreciate your stopping by and your kind comment. Cheers
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