In light of International Women’s Day (8^th March 2018) I would like to honour Dr Maya Angelou (authour, teacher, dancer, poet, singer, playwright, activist, all-round extraordinary woman and someone who I admire and who inspires me greatly).

I am so grateful that she has written books and essays and that via the internet with have access to her poetry, teachings, interviews and words of wisdom.

Dr Maya Angelou taught a message of love and gratitude. When speaking of our family and ancestors, she acknowledges the pain, suffering and sacrifices made, how we are indebted to those who came before us and how when we stand to do anything, we don’t stand alone – we have our predecessors right beside us.

In love for her people she wrote a poem called ‘For Old Black Men’ and included the poem ‘We Wear The Mask’ by Paul Laurence Dunbar, written in 1896. I thought I’d write a continuation of those two poems which I entitled ‘The Mask – (It Nah Go Work)’

Below is a video of Dr Maya Angelou reciting her poem and Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem, followed by my offering.

For Old Black Men / We Wear The Mask / The Mask (It Nah Go Work)

The Mask – (It Nah Go Work)

 

It doesn’t fit anymore!!

 

The mask does not go with my attire

It doesn’t complement my spirit

It clashes with my style

It offends me.

 

I don’t want to exchange it for a newer model

I don’t want it fixed

I don’t want to trade

I won’t buy a designer brand

It violates me.

 

It is an affront to my features

A kick to my stomach

A grip around my neck

And chains around my body.

It does not represent me.

 

It clips my wings

Pokes my eyes

Chips my soul.

It is like a bullet lodged in my gut

And I want it removed.

 

Do what you want with it

Burn it

Bury it

Believe in it

Send it to a landfill – far, far away

If you love it so much – you wear it

Bring it back to me, my family, my children or anyone who is somewhat familiar to me, in mind, body or spirit

And you will lose

Your head

I will rip it off you and slam it in a bucket

You’re not using it right

So it is no use

To anyone

 

I inherited the mask

I adopted it

I treated it like family

I tried to make it work

I cleared a path before me, took a few steps

But I was born to leap, to soar and move mountains

The mask represses my natural abilities

It demeans me, humiliates me and oppresses me.

 

This mask is centuries old

It never belonged in my tribe

Never.

Never will I ever seek the mask

Reminisce about the mask

Endure the mask in any guise

I kiss the mask good riddance

It is of no value

 

We wore the mask – but that was then

Now we reject it

It serves no purpose

It stunts me

Blocks me

Diverts me

It’s wasting my time.

 

We wore the mask – for so long, so long

We’ve always hated that mask

We wore it so that one day it wouldn’t be required mandatory adornment

We wouldn’t have to adjust it

We could leave it behind

For me – that day has come.