(I got inspired,
macon d)
dancing white people
thanks to what they’ve
come to think of themselves
and of others
it’s actually true:
most white people can’t dance
at least not very well
but when they get up and move
against the life-long
contra-distinctive training
that tells them it’s other people
who embody The Body
and thus can move those bodies well
and that it’s white people
who embody The Brain
and thus can’t move their bodies well
then when white people dance
it can be a sweet thing to see
but such waltzing is not easy
any time a caged white bird
sings through its body the audacious hope
that its fettered existence isn’t permanent
and that it too has a dream
the audience response is
not without laughter
but amidst the catcalls
at the pratfalls
and the tight white lips
and the creaky jerky hips
the better laughter expresses
not derision and condemnation
but appreciation and admiration
so dance white people
shake off your money-makers
proclaim your emancipation
rock your white houses
until their doors pop open
and your spirits find their light
Self hared and/or prejudice turned upon oneself can be nothing but destructive and counter productive.
ReplyDeletethis was awesome.
ReplyDeleteand spoke a little bit to what I was just writing about.
"Self hared and/or prejudice turned upon oneself can be nothing but destructive and counter productive"
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world does sagacioushillbilly mean by this? The poem is inspiring, alive, beautiful and joyful. I see no self-hatred or prejudice!
Glad you like it, Sarah and Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteI woke up and wrote it in the middle of the night a few nights ago.
Fantastic poem, very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteAnd while I can't claim certain knowledge of SH's intentions, I think he meant his comments as an agreement with the initial analysis of white paralysis so displayed in the poem.
Beautiful poem. Awesome blog. I'm blown away. And I'm adding you to my blog roll.
ReplyDelete