Poem 55 – Audre – VANESSA SHIELDS, writer

Audre

for Audre Lorde

Audre lives in the volcanic intersections of
race | sex | class | phobia

I know who I am [exclamation mark]
I said, I know how I am [exclamation mark] [voice loud]
I am a black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet [exclamation mark] [foot stomp]
[hand on hip] Who are you
I said, who are you

Audre is fierce confrontation
bubbling rage gurgling out of her fingertips
the blood of killed black children inking
lines of protest

Audre sits in fury
unfolding the truth of the revolution
radically rushing from her soul

Furthermore [exclamation mark]
Mastectomy is a sentence for strength
against the ugly face of a disease
that thrives on silence

I survive [exclamation mark | hands on breast]
What do you do, sisters

Audre celebrates differences and the
landscapes of growth therein

Audre’s treacherous magic
palpitates the collective hearts
of women everywhere

Open your hearts, women [smile]
When you let me in you’ll know
that i’ve already been alive in you
the ocean’s pounding voice
against your spine – that’s me

Unleash the tempest
of refusing silence [exclamation mark]
I will stand beside you [offers hand]