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29 december 1970
after 9 p.m.
love spelled the same but meaning
spiritually much more
meaning that we realize the creative
forces to be energy and that we as a
part of that must
come together
come
together
wow—there are tears in my laughter
—-Ericka Huggins These poems are collected in If They Come in the Morning...: Voices of Resistance, edited by Angela Davis. Thirteen years ago I listened to a poet read from the book “Assata” and then read her own work. It was during a Black August teach-in that I was hosting at the new pop-up location for a project I was co-stewarding called Impact Hub Oakland - the poet who read was Ericka Huggins. I am coming into this full circle moment as I personally, and we collectively, commemorate Black August. In “29 december 1970 / after 9 p.m.”, I am reminded of the importance of psychological and physical rest inside of the struggle, inside of the call to FAST, STUDY, FIGHT, TRAIN, and WIN as we recommit ourselves to a discipline and sharp analysis of the systems, of white supremacy, and oppression. It is the poetry that invites me to remember my own humanity and the tears that fall because of my own, our own, state of grief. What does it mean for us to honor the grief and the joy simultaneously during these times of blatant upheaval and righteous rage? This is my meditation for Black August. I offer gratitude to sister Ericka Huggins who continues to be available to offer poetry and a meditative practice here and abroad as we, at Artist As First Responder continue to explore modalities of exchanging care for ourselves and our siblings. — Ashara
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