wing clipper

1st Place in the Literary Category of Temple University's 'Justice Through Art' Contest

Description: This poem is inspired by the tone and cadence of “Ego Tripping (there may be a reason why)” by Nikki Giovanni. This piece is prose about the power that comes within overcoming an oppressor and reclaiming yourself. Notice the speaker begins the poem referring to herself as “i” and him as “Him”, at the climax she realizes her strength and refers to herself as “I” and him with a lowercase “H”. This sentiment celebrates breaking free and using freedom to create justice for yourself and others.

'wing clipper'

i walked far and wide
and for Him
i searched for wild things like horses and eucalyptus in the depths of arctic tundras

i carried the weight of Him on my back as i scaled mountains and swam up rivers
but i could not find

whatever it is that
He wanted
He needed
to quench His insatiable desire for something not even He knew

i called the children and missionaries and foreigners to sing out His name

yet He only told them to sing louder

i brought him jewels and opulence from all over the creation

yet He said to find something bigger...something shinier

i cut the heart of the finest lamb yet He only said
you got blood on my sleeves

and then finally

I arose

the children and missionaries and foreigners sang out my name
and I laughed with gilded joy

they brought me jewels and opulence from the entirety of our great great world and I was lavish with precious gems and delight

and then he cut the heart of the second finest lamb for me
and I said
you got blood on my sleeves

This is where I rise up

This is where I create my own justice
I once walked far and wide for him
not anymore

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