African Voices Spring 2020 AVSPRING2020 | Page 19

SHE LOVED US FIERCELY (For Shange’s Tribe)
If you ever consider suicide and want to die, and tell the children the truth?
Consider first taking on a divine mission. Just remember the time we had Black boy bands
Legend has it that Ntzoke Shange died twice And imagine the time when we will all wear
And was sent back to earth on assignment. a crown of braids in our hair.
Her mission to find the women who gather,
like hard rocks in search of change. If you ever consider suicide and want to die,
So she produced those passages, just read a poem
like there were no other words written, mingle with the muse within.
in the voice of women who need to talk, Some poets still seek to heal the hurt.
and sing about more than solidarity. Some performers will put cake on their face.
For us young gifted Black girls To bring humor where there is havoc.
who want just a touch of love. To those who know fortune and fame is not enuf
Without legacy and lineage.
If you ever consider suicide and want to die, Without a female friend or tenacious tribe.
Just know Lorraine Hansberry might send you back. Shange’s tribe — still goes through trials.
If there’s an Apollo Theatre in heaven, And every one of us who learned to love
I imagine she might be in charge Fiercely … we still choose to thrive
of that roll call of creative angels. despite the madness and moments of misery.
Maybe Zora will remind you to wrap yourself up
in rainbows and shower yourself in your regal rites.
If you ever consider suicide and want to die,
Remember this. Once I fell in love
If you ever consider suicide and want to die, with someone who couldn’t love themselves.
just remember all the good times. I was naïve and giving too much away.
When you were sipping on pear juice Then Shange reminded me what was mine.
and eating sweet plantains. Sage, spirituals, the secrets of Sankofa.
And just have a basement party. I turned towards her canvas of colors because
For Black people with pride. Shange offered me wellness and womanhood.
Ask yourself: Would you rather and be a Cadillac Ntozake Shange offered me a glass of wit
or a classic Coup de Ville? and water for my wounds.
Ask yourself: Do you want to be like Moms Mabley
© 2020 Venus Jones
african Voices
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