Thursday wasn’t just Valentine’s Day; it was the day of One Billion Rising, a global movement to spotlight and spur action with respect to violence and human trafficking.
Women of Antigua hosted a street rally which included dancing, stirring speeches, song, drumming, and poetry. As this is a literary site, you knew we were going to share the poetry with you didn’t you? With thanks to the poetess, Veronica Yearwood:
That Woman Don’t Cry
Step into her inner space and you will find
that area is too large for you
It makes you feel insignificant with the size
That woman don’t cry
That woman don’t cry
Even through all the endless lonely nights
The taking of her pride and joy
The removal of what she holds sacred
The lost loved ones ……
That woman don’t cry
Look at her alabaster skin
Gaze on its smoothness, the glow that emanates from it
Now look deeper and see the colour of your ego
The easily recognised mixture of colours
Black and blue
The black and blue that is etched in her soul
In those colours see where you caressed her
And recognise them as your declarations of your undying love
The colours of your love
The colours that when she sees them….
So as to save her soul and the child she bore you
And know..
That Woman don’t cry…
…..Won’t cry
…..Dare not cry.
Look closely at her.
Shhh! And listen….
Her cries are in the vigorous raising of her offspring
The sharp tongue of correction
The stride in her walk
The shake of her hips and head
The need to succeed.
Shhhh! Listen to her cries
For they are cries of success.
Reach deep into the abyss of her mind
And you will find
That woman don’t cry
Walk past her inner being
For you can only walk past and dare not enter
You will find the pillars of strength
Towering high, standing strong and immobile
Unweathered by her many storms
And know…
That woman,
My Black Caribbean Woman
Don’t cry!
*Please respect the poet’s copyright.
Wadadli Pen 