I Did: A Poetic Process

A poetic process. As you listen to the words feel how the words resonate within or are discordant within. Let the poem become more than just words and allow it to become an experience. Engage with others, who have received these words, with curiosity about their experience with the words and with life.

Transcript

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for taking this time to be present with these words.

Using the words that you hear as a prompt for what is going on within you.

Challenge your thought or how they are accepted in your being.

Once again,

Thank you.

I did.

I did not choose the color of my skin.

I did not choose on my body what parts stick out and what pokes in.

I did get to choose the me I am today,

What I'm gonna wear,

How I'm gonna act,

And what I'm gonna say.

Following the lead of parents and teachers and mentors wise,

I fall down,

I get up,

I keep my eyes on the prize.

My voice may be strong,

But need not be loud.

My words,

Filled with truth,

Do my ancestors proud.

With trials and errors,

I found my style.

When you see my actions or hear my words,

I hope you smile.

I did not choose my height,

My sex,

My skin.

I did choose to live fully in the skin I'm in.