Plucked from Mother’s nurture-land
because I am skilled,
and dark
ground by greed, dumped
in slavery’s colonial vat
where the rod of injustice
stirs my boiling,
forces toiling
rank with urine’s vile spoiling--
I am indigo.
I am not moved by your whipping sneer
that seeks to harness soul, demeaning.
Do not mistake my gracious rendering
as sign that I will die
dissolving;
it is pretense. It is waiting.
For when my life breathes freedom’s air
then will color,
truth,
be fast.
And though my palms
will trade this blue
to find their pink again, uncalloused,
I will long retain the stain of indigo
upon my heart, upon my back,
and come to surface bold,
in unfeigned determination
circumventing man, and greed,
‘til I return to Mother’s nurture-land,
skilled
and dark.
Author notes
Indigo has for millenium been a treasured dye, and its popular demand the cause of much slave trade during colonial years.
Natural indigo dye comes from the fermentation of the indigofera plants. It does not dissolve in water, and thus a common practice was to mix it with animal products such as blood or urine. When cloth is in the indigo vat, its potent color remains cloaked until it is exposed to atmospheric oxygen (air). Almost magically, the deep blue color will then appear.
Information source: http://www.slaveryinamerica.org/history/hs_es_indigo.htm
Picture source: http://www.motherlandnigeria.com/pictures/dyeing_indigo.jpg
In a list
A contest entry
- Commitment Contest #6 - INVITE ONLY by CarolDesjarlais.
1800 points, ended August 11, 2008, 4 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Ten this is awesome, speaks to the inner strengths of those challenged in things and society, bravo here, you are such a wonderful talent, always my privelidge to read your work
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I never get emotional when reading
but this had me shaking
this is the best piece I have read through all the series and I can't believe I didn't see this earlier
you have blown me away...I read Langston Hughes all the time and he seems to always capture a spark in me, honestly..this floored me
this should have won, but I know that to a poet..if one person can be touched it was worthwhile...I actually want to ask for permission to allow my wifes class to read this...she is a high school english teacher for special needs kids
peace Muddy
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test
...PK
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excellent
wonderful on many levels / considering the pain that is evoked. side note / it has been reported that in less then 40 years 'white, will no longer be the majority. The wheel turns . . .
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I participated in a contest by Pamela Lamppa and Idle Mind Wondering based on the prompt "indigo" and learned so much about the dying process. Your images are so strong, particular:
And though my palms
will trade this blue
to find their pink again, uncalloused,
I will long retain the stain of indigo
upon my heart, upon my back,
Another beautifully written poem by your graceful hand. Peace, Liz
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Again, the choice of Indigo means much to me. I believe good poets are indigo children ..those that can speak with authenticity of deep, old, wise knowing. I consider all four of you Indigo children.....
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