20 Feb 2008

7_foot_poet_upright_250wide aka "The Seven-Foot Poet"

Black Agenda Report introduces to these pages our resident poet, Kehmit Mawakana, also known as the "Seven-Foot Poet." An acclaimed spoken word artist and author, Mawakana explores the totality of African/human existence from his Washington, DC-based vantage point - like the confluence of behaviors and attitudes encountered both in church and on the subway, where "they got people and cameras watching you - just like at church."

To read, or listen to "Palm Sunday", click the link below.

Poetry from Kemet Mawakana

aka "The Seven-Foot Poet"

To listen to the audio of "Palm Sunday", click the flash player below.

{mp3}poetry/070_7ftpoet_palmsunday{/mp3}

Palm Sunday

I grabbed Hugo Boss by the collar

- not the man - the suit

that even with a two-thousand dollar discount

retailed for more than 1, 2, 3, fo'

of my father's goodgovernmentjobretirementpensionchecks.

It would insult the foo-foo shi-shi crowd if I referred to its color as brown

actually it was chocolate with a hint of mauve underlay.

Laced up my custom made Kenneth Cole shoes

that you can't get at the mall

a spray of Givenchy cologne check the Versace tie - and we're off!

Church was packed

like a rush hour subway car that lacked a/c and adequate seating

speaking prohibited - just like on the subway.

Never met nobody on there

people don't speak

just driven to drop off points

by somebody with a microphone - just like at church.

It was a rainy Sunday morning

all I could think about was the good sleeping weather and good sleep

I had given up to squeeze into a - pew

on this Palm Sunday.

By the time the sermon started I had recouped my losses - Zzzzz, Zzzzzz.

an old lady nudged me I looked left looked right

light-headedness caused me dizziness - just like on the subway.

When you're hungry but you don't eat

because something smells foul like - pugh

besides anyway eating is prohibited on the subway - just like at church.

The offering plates had already gone around early cause it was

Palm Sunday but now that the preacher was finished

so they passed the plates again - just like on the subway.

You pay when you get on

and then you pay again at add fare just to get out

because at certain times it cost more than others.

I'm surprised more people don't just run out

but they got people and cameras watching you - just like at church.

They say they ain't cause they godly people

but they know who gave what

and they watch each other business like they were Seiko and Timex

-- just like on the subway.

You never quite really feel too safe

got to keep a little edge to you especially when you dressed

in your Sunday best

because peoplez is envious think you gots lots of money

and they might hate on you - just like at church.

When you're leaving after you heard the sermon

you're dressed in your Sunday best

and peoplez and cameras are watchin' you - just like on the subway.

Checkin' out the clothes you wear

the jewelry you got on

because peoplez is envious think you gots lots of money

and they might hate on you - just like at church.

but you get sorta home sorta safely anyway - just like on the subway.

And you know there's a better way a healthier way a more direct way

to get where you're really trying to go

to get home to get community to get original spirituality

but all you know and all you've known

and what you've become comfortable with and accustomed to

is using the

bus

subway

baptist

catholic

the bus

subway

muslim

protestant

anyway - you continue to use it - the subway - just like church

The subway - the church - the subway - the church

both taking you under

to get you sorta near where you're trying to go

but you gotta take the initiative

up you mighty people, stand and walk to your destination

Sankofa! Full Speed Ahead Collective Self-determination

- just like on the subway.

Kemit 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 [email protected].

Peace (when appropriate) War (when necessary)

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