Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

Mirror, Mirror
Kemet Mawakana
22 Apr 2008
🖨️ Print Article

7_foot_poet_upright_250wide

by Kemet Mawakana (aka “The Seven-Foot Poet”)

is a highly acclaimed spoken-word artist, and has published two books A . . . Z . . . Infinity and Crucifixion of My Soul. The collective body of his works presented weekly in BAR are in tribute to Listervelt Middleton, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and “For The People”. Currently, he is a facilitator at AYA Educational Institute (www.ayaed.com) and can be reached at sevenfootpoet(at)gmail.com.
 
 
 
 

Mirror Mirror

the audio for this poem is temporarily unavailable/

We know you knew about Inner City Blues.

We know you knew about Thug Life.

And wanted to save the children.

And would answer if your homie calls.

Everybody loved you after the dance giving sexual healing.

You got around asking what’s your phone number and how do you want it?

A breach birth because you were born on the East Coast headed for Hollywood.

A breach birth because you were born on the East Coast headed for Hollywood.

On your label hot acts like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

On your label hot acts like Snoop Doggy Dogg and the Dogg Pound.

Mercy mercy me nobody told them whats going on like you.

I ain’t mad at cha because you gotta keep your head up.

Some said you were so negative some said so positive.

Some said you were so negative some said so positive.

My favorite lyric, “ ” yeah that one.

My favorite lyric, “ ” yeah that one.

It was hectic during your lifetime the war the riots and all.

It was hectic during your lifetime the war the riots and all.

You were a troubled man.

You saw death around the corner.

So sad you life ended so young.

So sad you life ended so young.

It makes me wanna holla.

It makes me feel trapped against all odds.

People still love your music.

People still love your music.

Your style was complex in its simplicity.

Your style was complex in its simplicity.

We miss you 2Pac we miss you Tupac Shakur.

We miss you Marvin we miss you Marvin Gaye.

 

By Kemit Mawakana (aka The Seven-Foot Poet)

Peace (when appropriate) War (when necessary)

Copyright 1998.

 

Kemet Mawakana (aka “The Seven-Foot Poet”) is a highly acclaimed spoken-word artist, and has published two books A . . . Z . . . Infinity and Crucifixion of My Soul. The collective body of his works presented weekly in BAR are in tribute to Listervelt Middleton, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, and “For The People”. Currently, he is a facilitator at AYA Educational Institute (www.ayaed.com) and can be reached at sevenfootpoet@gmail.com.

 

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • No to Foreign Military Intervention In Haiti! Yes, to Haitian Self-Determination!
    Black Alliance for Peace Haiti/Americas Team
    No to Foreign Military Intervention In Haiti! Yes, to Haitian Self-Determination!
    19 Oct 2022
    The Haitian people are united in their opposition to occupations of their country. The U.S. and its Core Group allies are once again using the United Nations to legitimize their latest invasion…
  • Europe Under Control of the U.S. Mafia
    Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
    Europe Under Control of the U.S. Mafia
    19 Oct 2022
    Who benefits from the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines which connect Germany to natural gas in Russia? The U.S. has the means, motive, and opportunity and was publicly opposed to the…
  • POEM: There it is, Jayne Cortez, 2009
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    POEM: There it is, Jayne Cortez, 2009
    19 Oct 2022
    The late Jayne Cortez spits fire, reminding us of the need to fight, resist, organize, and unify to seize power. You should read her NOW.
  • Tulsi Gabbard May Have Left the Democratic Party, But She Isn’t Helping the Left
    Danny Haiphong, BAR Contributing Editor
    Tulsi Gabbard May Have Left the Democratic Party, But She Isn’t Helping the Left
    19 Oct 2022
    Tulsi Gabbard cultivated an image as an anti-war progressive, but her endorsement of Joe Biden, and support for conservative positions culminated in an exit from the democratic party which revealed…
  • We were L.A.—way before they…
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    We were L.A.—way before they…
    19 Oct 2022
    “Ignorance allied with power   is the most ferocious enemy   justice can have.”   —James Baldwin
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us