won't you celebrate with me
what i have shaped into
a kind of life? i had no model.
born in babylon
both nonwhite and woman
what did i see to be except myself?
i made it up
here on this bridge between
starshine and clay,
my one hand holding tight
my other hand; come celebrate
with me that everyday
something has tried to kill me
and has failed.
— Lucille Clifton, won’t you celebrate with me?
In this equinox season, in the midst of National Poetry Month, I am thinking of the ways we thrive despite the violent rhetoric and actions, despite the transphobic policies and initiatives, despite our focus on traveling away from Earth instead of living harmoniously on our planet — I am honored to be able to witness/participate/invest in a practice and “litany for survival.”
This month and throughout this spring season, I continue to turn to poetry. The worlds built from words from writers such as Lucille Clifton, Gil Scott Heron, Audre Lorde, and Maya Angelou have sheltered me and saved my life many times.
The poem, won’t you celebrate with me? by Lucille Clifton is a mantra and speaks directly to this long-memory invitation from Artist As First Responder by reiterating that despite all of the various and present day wars against the Spirit and the body, that we do, indeed, survive.
I invite you to celebrate with us throughout the month of April.
Love,
Ashara
