Three Poems by Kelly Harris
bySolidarity Capitalism
1.
If solidarity meant
our freedom
all lives
would be written in bullet blood
breath would be more than
brand.
2.
We stand with you—
now here’s 20% off
our next bullshit.
3.
Mega white
preachers:
All green blessings matter,
Amen?
4.
Need Black writers
and people of color
to create the clicks
needed for cash.
5.
Juneteenth—
a new paid holiday
to market freedom
to consumers who
want a not racist coupon.
6.
Thank God, I trumped Him
and set the economy
free.
7.
Mouths always covered
no speaking out
until it was profitable
to no longer wear the mask.
8.
Poets that wanted to be universal
now want to be Black poets
so they can be listed in the light.
9.
Read Black people.
Listen to Black people.
Vet every damn body.
10.
George Floyd changed the world
and the black economy —
spend his blood wisely.
11.
Don’t be the equality
that gets the grants
and only feeds your friends —
just like white gatekeepers.
12.
Who writes the checks
Who the checks written to
Who Who Who
is holding freedom?
Panel Discussions
over here
they came
over there
we went
over
arms & legs
over children and blood
&
every
chained body—
moaning,
over and over
board
over
taken
open mouth
open thighs
on the block
looked over
bidding over
& over
still
standing over us
shall we
Overcome
over time
progress overrated
I’m so over it.
Teaching Nature (City Park)
and now the ducks
are fighting like grocery shoppers
in the same pond
mouths open against each other
for the last roll of air
—
Kelly Harris is the New Orleans Literary Coordinator for Poets & Writers. She has done extensive research on Louisiana’s first Poet Laureate Dr. Pinkie Gordon Lane. Her poetry collection, Freedom Knows My Name, is set for release this Summer 2020. Find out more at kellyhd.com Follow her on Twitter at @khdpoetry
