When We Were Savages – IV (A collaborative poem by five Jeff City Poets)

IV. I Transform….

By Dick Dalton

Black
as moonless nights
without stars
I glisten
with diamonds of sweat.
Caged
in the land of the free
I transform…
coming soon
to the home of the hypocrite.

Dad
was an outspoken Garveyite.
Our house was burned.
They said
“He fell
under a streetcar.”
Dead
in the land of the liars.
I transform…
freed with knowledge
taught by
caged
Black
elders.

Black absorbs
centuries of subjugation.
White repels
the heat of truth
his soul enslaved
his culture his cage.
I transform…
“By any means necessary”
striking fear in their hearts.

Justice demands,
“People of color take
power!”
The Hajj
erases color
for the few who see the soul.
I am Malcolm X
an outspoken messenger of Allah.
Our house is bombed.
I transform…

Stop.
Look inside.
Listen
for the bell of the streetcar.
_______________
[Editor’s Note: Wikipedia articles on Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey.]

Copyright © 2021 by Dick Dalton Dick Dalton is in his seventh decade of making meaning out of life. Husband, father, grandfather, teacher, author, singer/songwriter, poet, Peace Activist, Social Artist, radio show host, recycler, actor, and friend are all members of his inner crew. His careers involved a volunteer Christian ministry for 25 years overlapping with 40 years of teaching Health and Wellness to adults. He lives with his wife in Jefferson City, Missouri.