I am not a poet. I am a random human who only turns to poetry when there is simply no other way to express what’s going on in my head. The urge to make art is the only clear path that makes sense.
(Seriously, the last time I wrote poetry was high school, when I was just starting to learn about crushes and first loves) This new urge to write poetry stretches beyond puppy love, into the realm that every living creature on Earth belongs to- Spirit, Soul, Connection. That we are all the same, experiencing life in different ways.
And if (when) that life spills into existential meltdowns, check out my post- “How to Keep Going on Hard Days even when everything seems “fine” “
Ever hear the term, “Ubuntu” ?
Essentially-
‘Ubuntu is an ancient African word rooted in humanist African philosophy and can be roughly translated as “humanity to others”, or “I am because we are”. It comes from the Zulu proverb “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, meaning “a person is a person through other people”.’
https://www.dandelionphilosophy.com/blog/whats-in-a-word-the-meaning-of-ubuntu
I bring this beautiful idea up because it helps me explain the poem I wrote on May 6th, 2025. It certainly was not the first time israel bombed a school in Palestine, or the first time american “leaders” did absolutely nothing except send more weapons and money to murderers.
It was just the day Ubuntu burst back into my soul, took charge and had me write this with shaking hands:
Untitled. 5.6.26
They keep us divided
that’s the way they like it.
If we fight on the same page
and Unite all our same rage,
they would fall in a matter of hours,
Running scared from all our Powers.
And they KNOW this
Haven’t you noticed?
How vastly we outnumber them?
How bad it’d be if we come for them.
We need a crew
in order to do what we gotta do
they’re coming for them,
they’ll come for you too.
Reflect on what they’ve done
to prevent us from becoming one.
Racism, sexism, capitalism just to start
FAKE social constructions to harden our Hearts.
So say hello
to people you don’t know.
We’re the goddamn Human Race-
Look each other in the Face.
they don’t want us to know
just how far our Power goes.
It’s too late for too many of us.
That leaves it to the rest of us
Embrace the responsibility
Start moving Strategically
Sorry Don Miguel Ruiz*, but
I’m taking this shit hella personally.
*Don Miguel Ruiz is a Mexican author/spiritual teacher of Toltec Cultural Wisdom. He wrote, “The Four Agreements”- a collection of Toltec teachings intended to improve one’s life. The second agreement listed is “Don’t take things personally”, highly recommend this book
Does this call to make art change anything?
On a global scale, no. In my own little World, it makes the tiniest fraction of a difference.
According to neurological research, A 2022 study found that creative expression therapy using poetry can be a powerful trauma support tool. It can expand self awareness, and even increase positive social interactions…remember Def Jam with Mos Def? Talk about positive social interactions.
To make art is a reminder that I have a responsibility to my people (and by people I mean the whole of humanity). If that stresses you out, may I recommend writing a poem about it.
Listen to students from the University of Cape Town South Africa share what Ubuntu means to them:
