register now for freedom
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so loud it leaves Jericho shakin' in its overpriced boots
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so late the rest of the world still wanna catch up to its wind
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so wet it makes the hydrants bow in a glimmering reverence
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so coarse a thick forest grows in its name
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so bright it could photosynthesize a heart
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so heavy done turned gravity into a tattle tell
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so fast it got enough horsepower to chariot the sun
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so agile it got its own two step, gave jazz a run for its money
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so dark make all of the brown mamas weep a gospel
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so luminous turns tragedy into a cluster of praise
ever seen the smile of a brown child
make you wanna write a poem
about it not being taken away?
so loud it leaves Jericho shakin' in its overpriced boots
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so late the rest of the world still wanna catch up to its wind
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so wet it makes the hydrants bow in a glimmering reverence
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so coarse a thick forest grows in its name
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so bright it could photosynthesize a heart
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so heavy done turned gravity into a tattle tell
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so fast it got enough horsepower to chariot the sun
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so agile it got its own two step, gave jazz a run for its money
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so dark make all of the brown mamas weep a gospel
ever seen the smile of a brown child
so luminous turns tragedy into a cluster of praise
ever seen the smile of a brown child
make you wanna write a poem
about it not being taken away?
***
Used with permission.
Photo by Yveka Pierre.
***
Pages Matam is a multidimensional touring artist, residing in the D.C. metropolitan area, but originally from Cameroon, Africa. He is author of Heart of a Comet (Write Bloody, 2014), a playwright, a 2014 National Poetry Slam champion and holds various other awards. His passions are in the field of education, violence and abuse trauma work, and youth advocacy. As a teaching artist with the national poetry non-profit Split This Rock, Pages is a coach for the DC Youth Slam Team. Pages is a proud gummy bear elitist, bowtie enthusiast, professional hugger and anime fanatic. When he takes stage -- as a performer, educator, or activist -- be prepared to be taken on an experience of cultural, socially conscious, and personal discovery unapologetic in its silly yet visceral and beautifully honest in its storytelling. pagesmatam.com
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