"My Kenyan Sister," A Poetry Post

My Kenyan sister,
I am amazed by your bravery.


Because you hold up under the
threat of violence for
choosing to be strong for
choosing to live out your
divine and rightful purpose,
I can't help but smile at your regality.

Because you go to the market
on foot or by transport
whether or not the latest
zealot is waiting to
wreak havoc
upon your day,
I celebrate you.

Because you still reserve the right to
accept or disallow the
treatment of any one of our
brothers--Kenyan or other--
I thank you.

I thank you for holding the line,
for demanding the right to
live without fear,
shop without fear,
pray without fear,
school without fear,
play without fear,
speak without fear,
wake without fear and
sleep without fear.

My sister.

Every step you take into
perseverance
is a sign to the world.

As long as there is a land named Kenya,
which we expect forever...

As long is there is a continent named Africa,
which we expect forever...

As long as there is a faction riding
for the belittlement and
debasement of the African woman,
which we expect--unfortunately--
forever...

There will be a Kenyan sister
stepping out of the house on a Tuesday
walking down to the market for
fresh fruits and vegetables with
only her day's goals
on her mind.

For we will not be dissuaded.

We will not be laid down into a life of
hiding, of shameful curdling,
of depression or depravity.

My sister,
when the fires die down,
we both know
(you and I)
that there will be a collection of
mothers, daughters, neices, aunts and
grandmothers standing in the midst
of the mess hollering out
"Now WHAT? God help us,
we will not be defeated! We will not be
upended! The Kenyan woman
will BE KENYA
forever!"

-T. D. James-Moss