COMMUNITY WRITING: CONNECTING LITERACY AND THE LITERARY


TRIBUTE TO A NATION
Nannette Banks (1997)

WARNING: Sistas in motion
Watch out y'all here they come, don't you see them
With their backs straight and their heads held high
And their stride long, lean and moving them
forward...
Don't you see the Black Rainbow coming towards you?
No, No, No, don't be afraid of the showers that follow
Because they are the showers from their spirit
They are the showers from their mind,
They are the showers from their love,
They are the showers from their growth...OH!
Look ahead, look ahead, into a sea of women
Who know we have founded what is known as
This United States of America.
That we have founded what is known as
The African Rainbow
OH! We are women, we are beautiful,
And we are strong.
OH! Look out y'all because here they come
Sistas in motion,
Watch out for the African Rainbow
In a town, in a city, in a state,
Just all over the world, but somewhere near you!

WARNING: Sistas in motion,
If you are afraid either get out of the way or
Join the ranks
Because we are headed, we are going, and we are there
Because we are Sistas in motion,
Join me my Brother, join me my Sista,
Join me my Black Children,
Just join me, join me.
Come on and go on this ride with Sistas in motion.
I love you, need you, My life requires you,
So now I call you,
Let's go, let's get it, Let's hit it, Let's do it, Let's say it,
Let's stand up, not sit down.
Alright my Sistas, my Brothers, my Black People
In motion.


UNTITLED
Nannette Banks (1992)

Out
from the darkness
comes my black soul
beneath my feet
are the riches of gold
of a land I've
never touched
and people
I've never known
upon the earth
my spirit roams
I am the
Black Women

BLACK MAGIC
Nannette Banks (1998)

Somehow?
There's magic,
Holding each of your letters together, as you speak
your death defying words to me!
Now, I don't know if it's the magic from your soul,
or the movement of your lips?
But it can only be described as...
Black Magic!
Because who else and what else could cause,
each of my layers to ...disappear?
There's a spark in your eye
that keeps me so entranced in your soul.
Now, your not pulling rabbits out of your hat, or
making coins disappear!
But you are causing my soul to,
levitate and to meditate
and become centered...with yours!
Explain it to me Black Man,
the tricks of your trade.
Explain it to me Black Man,
the secrets of your soul.
Tell me Black Man,
how to balance without a net
and I will forever be at your side.

Black Magic + Black Man = Black Magic Man!
POOF! It must be...
Black Magic!


RICH HERITAGE
Nannette Banks (1997)

I come from a family of rich heritage that began with time...we painted the sky blue and the ground green with grass.

We hung the stars just so...to be guiding lights and jumped rope with the moon beams.

I come from a family of rich heritage. We played by the banks of the Nile and welcomed the Egyptian sunlight on our faces.

We built the pyramids from our sand castles and created the calendar for our daily existence.

I come from a family of rich heritage. Where my theories produced mathematics, my thoughts set forth a revolution... my footsteps discovered the underground rail-road and continued on this journey for freedom.

I come from a family of rich heritage. That honors my mother as the queen and father as the king for birthing into existence this great nation of doers and go getters...

I come from a family of rich heritage.
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