Poem by Gloria O’koye
Takes a village to raise a child.
So, what will it take to nurse collectives of wounded warriors?
Fighting battles in the spirit realm & psychological warfare.
Physical world holds secrets that causes the wise to shudder,
Some mystery is left better undisturbed.
Some mystery is better off to not even be stated.
Take heed to the warnings and teachings from the elders,
Because the cycle repeats
If our history is lost and vanishes into thin air.
Remember the times of block parties during city wide blackouts?
BBQs every summer filled with dancing and laughter?
Where neighbourhood heroes from different walks of life
Took care of each other?
Where fridges & cabinets were full,
Feeding children and adults embracing their inner child.
Back when neighbours knew and loved all their neighbours?
And don’t you ever forget when we all pitched into back-to-school-events!
Where there was no sign ups only line ups and volunteers to give out,
Ever flowing supplies while they last.
Elders filling up the backpacks as kids acted like kids.
Where grown-ups babysat each other littles ones.
Even when our ears get pinched,
By auntie down the hallway from where you lived.
We knew Auntie had our back and she didn’t play about you!
No stranger would dare test her loyalty
Cause she’ll ride out for you!
And we go get her off those cuffs
Because with bail
We stay ready with the loot!
Staying 10 toes down,
Back then the system shook since we were solid,
They just knew.
Remember when the community stood against injustices?
From protests to month-long marches that filled up every street corner?
Where everyone gathered in houses
As they planned & given tasks.
Where everyone knew and respected their roles
Without the distractions, or bickering
About who was doing the best!
Remember when we truly lived by the phrase
“The People United, Will Be Defeated.”
When we walked the walk
Not just talked the talk
To look cute on Instagram pictures.
When we lived beyond TikTok trends,
And practiced what we preach instead of twitters fingers
Entangling our lives through that App called Threads.
In this time of need,
No influencer can surpass
The love that held our communities together
In the past.
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