blood pudding

NOTE: This is jazz. The text is the score. Polyrhythm, and simultaneity are essential in bringing this text to life. Language and movement repeats/builds/layers/is sung.

i am from the land of the dead.
my bones hang in trees
i run with the wind

its time its time its time its time its time its time its time its
time its time its time its time its time its time its time its time
its time its time its time its time its time its time its time

i am from Senegambia

slave solider captured sold and sent

i am from St. Domingue

left in exchange for water for a Louisiana bound slave ship

i am from Cuba

where entire plantations of Ibo simultaneously hanged themselves from trees.
they understood the transmigration of Souls.
so do i.
Maroons looking for freedom

i am from Boriquen

sentenced to hard labor there
for plotting to burn down the entire estate
i was slaved on.

i am from Algiers Louisiana

forced there during the antivoodoo campaign
for dancing in congo square.

they called me chattel.

we dance
we sing
we drum
we drink
we pray

we pray for freedom
middle of town
every sunday
with white folk joined in.

they think it cute
like playing with children
we don’t care
cause we know we making them
call our freedom down.

winds have come
the sky looks hollow
boats wail in sorrow
and the river
it’s moving so fast

sunshine is gone
the earth has swallowed
all hope for tomorrow
and today
just feels bad

here is what you need to know
Love is all there is
dreamers dreaming beyond the stars
bless your name
don’t let go

hold on
we wear a crown
the crown we wear is you.

Love is all there is
Love is all there is
Love is you.