Perfecting a perceptive art such as poetry has been paramount to people of pigment for a plethora of years. As Black History Month continues, we should not turn a blind eye to one of the many elements of creativity that have contributed to the foundation of black culture. Poetry has been living within the media for centuries, and the power of the pen has only gotten stronger with time.
Poetry has been one of the most popular ways to express one’s feelings, thoughts, background, or story through rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language. Not only has poetry given people a voice through literacy, but also a voice within music, smoothly making its way into the Hip-Hop community.
Creative writing is still relevant in today’s era, especially in Chicago. Poetry and Hip-Hop have been a part of the city’s history for decades, and these outlets are not going anywhere. With that being stated, here are some poems written by some of the coldest writers in the Chicagoland area. Take a moment to open your mind to the words of wisdom that reside in the writers of today.
Love is No “One Size Fits All”
By: Rachel “RayIsRay” Caldwell
Some people need more than others
It looks and feels different for everyone
It’s really mushy and lovey dovey in some cases
And it means space for alone time in others
Sometimes it’s talking things out
But also uncomfortable silences laced with compassion
It’s giving sure yes’s and it’s also firm no’s
It’s still there even when someone can no longer fit their old clothes
It’s being excited to be together
It’s also knowing how to live apart
Full of passion in some instances
And also requires a meek heart
Weathers through many storms
But also knows when to leave
Cares selflessly
But knows to save some for self
Love is no one size fits all
But it fulfills a plethora of needs
It grows and shrinks alike
It’s there in the darkest of times and brightest in light
Is shared openly but most appreciated privately
Tests our resilience
And is a container for reasonable jealousy
Love is no one size fits all
But I think it suits us all perfectly
Untitled
By: Eric James
Cloudy days
In the deepest depths
I sit in a corner fetal position intact
Afraid to face the world
The masses aiming weaponry so impactful yet as precise as a scalpel
As I look for a place to belong, to fit in
I notice the starvation that has built
Love as scarce as any precious object
But never attained to compare
Hatred boiling within like a sun’s supernova
Hatred for what?
Oneself not being good enough to capture the likes of Nasa despite shining so brightly
Even the loudest internal scream goes unheard
The pain as comforting as a blanket
I rest in my insecurities
There’s solace in what’s known
Even if the unknown is for the better
The darkness of my thoughts clouds the pain
Wasted Love
By: Kyla “Ms. Mamas” Turner
No, this is not wasted love
I just hate when you are wasted, Love
Drunk, off the love that you didn’t know how to handle responsibly
Intoxicated by the lustful spirit that arose when you glanced at my figure
And figured I can medicate you with my healing hands
In reality I’ll be feeding your hunger
Setting you back
Putting a recall on your rehabbed practices
By taking shots of my love until your thirst of satisfaction is quenched
Ain’t no refills of me baby
I have nothing else to pour
You have ran me dry
No remorse to leave without supply
I hope you find the courage in this dry time
With a coherent state of mind
To accept that you were the problem in your progression
And I don’t want you to get all in your feelings
Calling and pleading
Begging for a re-run of a one time blessing
Just know, this was not wasted love
I just hated when you was wasted, Love
I never wanted to waste this love
But our cup has runneth over
Free Your Mind
By: KaVonya Moore
When all that remains is you & your thoughts…
Do you ever question what you’ve been taught?
I can’t have been the only one feeling lost
Not with all this talk of stay woke & sea moss
Actually, I think I was mid hot girl … like hands on my knees and everything
Mid giving up my body without a wedding ring
Mid sprint at the party cuz I heard them blicks sing
Mid bbl consultation on my Barbie Tingz
When I asked myself …