this was lex-spired, i wrote this after reading an amazing editorial she wrote on community.
my soul needs more than someone to tip my hat to
in the lines at the grocery store
my heart needs more than board meetings
once-a-year parades
conference after-parties
rallies on the hill and at the statehouse
yes, when my heart beats
i know it’s telling me it needs so much more
i want to be around people who understand the physical science involved with trying to fit 3 wheelchairs in one elevator
“can you go to the left?” “okay maybe i can fold my foot rests”
“alright i think the door will close!”
skid marks on the elevator walls will mark our presence and afterwards a mother with a stroller will try to close the door before others can get in
(and i’m not sure i’d blame her)
i want to see my deaf friend terp [voice, interpret] for my crip friend who has a soar throat
‘cause though we love the crip friend, we seriously have no idea what she’s saying
lucky for us, our deaf friend reads lips and that’s what community is about
i want to be at a picnic and see a whole throng of disabled people dissipate in a matter of seconds
because rain clouds are coming this way
and no one wants to push a chair that’s gonna short out
especially for powerchair users who stay behind to chat with cute girls under way-too-tiny umbrellas
most of all, i want people who will understand why i am outraged and sometimes feeling hopeful and sometimes feeling broken
and like these drought lands,
i crave for a sense of community to wash over me,
renewing my spirit
reminding me of why i immigrated here years ago.
my soul needs more than this.
This is beautiful.
Posted by lilwatchergirl on December 18th, 2007.
Your writing is beautifully embodied. Have you ever done spoken word performances?
Posted by dylan on December 18th, 2007.
I read your poem. I read Alexis Pauline Gumbs’ editorial. Beautiful… powerful… i cannot stop my eyes from tearing.
In struggle together,
Cilla
Posted by Big Noise on December 18th, 2007.
Not sure how to do trackbacks, but I linked this poem in my blog post today. :)
Posted by daisydeadhead on December 18th, 2007.
So lovin’ on you.
Posted by Aaminah on December 18th, 2007.
You have been honoured with a special award!
andrea
Posted by qw88nb88 on December 19th, 2007.
I love it!
Posted by Pinky Bear on December 19th, 2007.
*crush*
oh my…this is…oh my
BEAUTY-FULL
Posted by Sudy on December 19th, 2007.
You are masterful with your images. This part: “skid marks on the elevator walls” made my toes curl! Mashallah, as we say. Marvelous.
Posted by the fruitfemme on December 20th, 2007.
Batman, am I barely complete?
am I somehow, however, hurt?
I know others that say norms of life with people
means certain lifestyles and
standards set between good and bad,
everyone is different, yet same
the autism makes everyone strange and
is that too odd?
autistics are special
is Batman different?
somewhat different
Batman is special
are autistics really odd too?
that is strange
everyone makes autism the same
yet different is everyone
bad and good between set standards
and lifestyles certain
means people with “life of norms” say that
others know I hurt
somehow, however, I am complete
Barely, I am Batman
From my December 30th post . . . (aspie here btw)
Posted by lastcrazyhorn on December 31st, 2007.
Oh btw, that’s also an example of word order palindromic poetry. :)
Posted by lastcrazyhorn on December 31st, 2007.
oh my goodness love! i can’t believe i didn’t see this until now. this is so beautiful. i’m honored to have anything to do with it!
love,
lex
Posted by alexis on March 27th, 2008.
Hmm, very cognitive post.
Is this theme good unough for the Digg?
Posted by Serenia on February 27th, 2009.