The power of the pen in black communities has been growing among our youth. The idea that reading is “fun” is not advertised in the black community, but the creativity in our literature is fundamental to our culture. For decades, poetry has been showcasing the stories of both our ancestors and active youth, and I look forward to sharing an amazing writer with a true story to tell.
One of Saint Xavier’s own, Dustin Pettis, is a Sophomore communications major who has a passion for creative writing. He has been writing for years but just recently started to share his marvelous work with us. He has performed his own pieces at one of SXU’s open mic events in September and has since penned several poems that resonate with his listeners.
Dustin has a sense of humor entangled with honesty. He speaks to the mind while wholeheartedly acknowledging the heart with his words. Not only is his poetry relatable, but it’s also an inspiration to every eye that comes across it.
Today, I have the honor of sharing one of his new poems with you titled “Born in a Bird Cage.” Take a moment to unwind from the phases of today, and allow your mind to marinate in his message. This poem will be sure to speak to you.
Born in a bird cage
Locked in a cage of thoughts
Linked to the regrets and dreams
I’ve let go
Trapped in my own skin made maiden
Chain mailing god my prayers
to understand the gate keeping of my growth
Hoping that these piano keys
Will unlock the heart strings
That perform my emotions
Open my chest
And find nothing but confusion
I question if this suit of armor
Acts as a mask to keep the fear out
Or to keep the screams in
This vessel is nothing but a bird cage
That stops the soul from flying away
The metal shell
It pales in comparison
To how cold the world can be
If the flames were allowed to fan
The phoenix could spread its wings
Locked in the vehicle
Of the mind
Lapping thoughts
As sayings stay racing
My containment reacts
I’m
Baptized in the sweat
As my mind chases the prize of false promises
Purposeless
Restless
As the tin man’s
Drumline beats
Off key
Opening the ear
To the murmurs left by the hole created by life
Time has lead to lost trust and
Rusting of the coffin
That I lay in each night
Awaiting the awakenings
Of the clouds and sky as I am
Born a new
Remastered
Ready to think it all over again