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


  • DOCUMENT: Of the Culture of White Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois, 1917
    Editors, The Black Agenda Review
    DOCUMENT: Of the Culture of White Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois, 1917
    02 Mar 2022
    As the European-initiated World War I raged, W. E. B. DuBois reminded us about the destructive nature of the “culture of white folk.” It is a reminder sorely needed today.
  • From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe.
    Dr. Gerald Horne
    From Crisis to Catastrophe? What is to be Done in Eastern Europe.
    02 Mar 2022
    The end of the cold war was the beginning of the America unipolar moment.
  • A Different “Fight for 15:” Haiti Garment Industry Workers Strike
    Mamyrah Prosper
    A Different “Fight for 15:” Haiti Garment Industry Workers Strike
    02 Mar 2022
    The garment workers' strike in Haiti can't be separated from that nation's history. Continued US interference on behalf of oligarchic rule keeps workers in poverty.
  • For African and Colonized Peoples, to Understand Ukraine: De-center Europe and Focus on Imperialism
    Black Alliance For Peace
    For African and Colonized Peoples, to Understand Ukraine: De-center Europe and Focus on Imperialism
    02 Mar 2022
    The Black Alliance for Peace emphatically declares that the conflict in the Ukraine emerges from the ceaseless and single-minded drive of the U.S., NATO, and the European Union for global economic…
  • BAR Book Forum: Yolanda Covington-Ward and Jeanette S. Jouili’s Book, “Embodying Black Religions in Africa and Its Diasporas”
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Yolanda Covington-Ward and Jeanette S. Jouili’s Book, “Embodying Black Religions in Africa and Its Diasporas”
    02 Mar 2022
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us