My New Black Magazine - NYU Black Renaissance Noire BRN-FALL-206 ISSUE RELEASE | Page 154

Scene 1

the woman in yellow gathers
water at the anacostia river with a
candle. She places water in mason jar
and candle at the center of the circle.
the mayor draws the Kongo
Cosmogram (four corners in a circle on
the floor) with white chalk.
all characters enter, forming a
ring shout, moving counter
clockwise, creating rhythm with feet,
hands on thighs and clapping in the circle.
sara is the last to enter the ring shout.

the pocket roll call always plays
with the mayor.
the mayor: (singing)
There was once a sweet thing
‘Bout 12 years old
She was always smiling
Thought the world was gold
sara dances, embodying the lyrics of
the mayor’s song and story.
the mayor: (singing)
She liked to eat sour pickles
Ride the bus ‘round town
Saying…
sara:
Hey!
the mayor: (singing)
…to strange folk
And dancing all around
Now when she went to school
Her mama made her lunch
She gave it all away, though
Even her fruit punch
Some say she’s too sweet
Say she’s too kind
Some say she’s dancing
A way that makes her blind
Young girl, young girl
Young girl, young girl
Young girl, young girl
‘Bout to see the world!

sara exits, dancing.
lights up to reveal the apartment.
the mayor riffs with the the
pocket roll call, and the