Annotations for Speaker: Nehassaiu Degannes

I'm an African American poet, African American in the hemispheric sense.

I'm an African American poet, African American in the hemispheric sense.

I was born in the Caribbean and grew up in Canada.

I was born in the Caribbean and grew up in Canada.

I'm considered an alien in this country.

I'm considered an alien in this country.

I've, uh, lived in Philadelphia for the last three years, so, um, I'd like to read this poem.

I've, uh, lived in Philadelphia for the last three years, so, um, I'd like to read this poem.

Double Dutch girls in West Philadelphia Jump sidewalk cracks home Not breaking mama's back is Sun straddling grid work And heavy iron trellis of an L

Double Dutch girls in West Philadelphia Jump sidewalk cracks home Not breaking mama's back is Sun straddling grid work And heavy iron trellis of an L

overpass Cuts tic tac toe into ashy skin The tall one, Shaneen, choosing just the right moment to talk.

overpass Cuts tic tac toe into ashy skin The tall one, Shaneen, choosing just the right moment to talk.

Her talk angles her tongue like a spoon.

Her talk angles her tongue like a spoon.

Tissa kissed Raheem, put her tongue full in his mouth.

Tissa kissed Raheem, put her tongue full in his mouth.

Thick black braids and running shoes, swoop like birds of prey circling up to dive again.

Thick black braids and running shoes, swoop like birds of prey circling up to dive again.

Tongues circle and dive, ululating iron like cistern at a whaling wall.

Tongues circle and dive, ululating iron like cistern at a whaling wall.

Darkness shivering to the high pitched ring of steel.

Darkness shivering to the high pitched ring of steel.

So how you know?

So how you know?

Winged flesh hunts out innocence.

Winged flesh hunts out innocence.

Sucking gaps in back of full grown teeth.

Sucking gaps in back of full grown teeth.

Eyes roll sticks of juicy fruit.

Eyes roll sticks of juicy fruit.

Now or later, lips smack and pop.

Now or later, lips smack and pop.

Comparing him to red popsicles, Kiss to cool a high noon heat, A girl's own sweat, Glistening on upper lip, Tongue darting in, tongue darting out,

Comparing him to red popsicles, Kiss to cool a high noon heat, A girl's own sweat, Glistening on upper lip, Tongue darting in, tongue darting out,

Measuring meter and testing rhyme, The thwap of ropes, Against the pavement, the pavement, the flap of rope against black ground cowie tongues curled.

Measuring meter and testing rhyme, The thwap of ropes, Against the pavement, the pavement, the flap of rope against black ground cowie tongues curled.

Just so are a third eye, a sensor, dividing every black girl's destiny.

Just so are a third eye, a sensor, dividing every black girl's destiny.

Telling each one when to trust the angle of the turning rope.

Telling each one when to trust the angle of the turning rope.

Telling each one exactly when to jump.

Telling each one exactly when to jump.

And my second poem, I'd like to, um, dedicate it to friend of mine whose birthday is coming up soon in almost.

And my second poem, I'd like to, um, dedicate it to friend of mine whose birthday is coming up soon in almost.

Almost a year ago, when we first met, this is the poem I read to him over the phone.

Almost a year ago, when we first met, this is the poem I read to him over the phone.

A Woman's Rights.

A Woman's Rights.

Aching goods deciphering ocean Bear half moons to battle with the dawn Black

Aching goods deciphering ocean Bear half moons to battle with the dawn Black

palms rocking oceans Talking

palms rocking oceans Talking

They shed her beads each autumn, Scraped clean this August, Rusted long, aching ghoul, Discipling Oshun.

They shed her beads each autumn, Scraped clean this August, Rusted long, aching ghoul, Discipling Oshun.

She cups their breasts to Olokun, Taught tributes flowing, Fee his fond.

She cups their breasts to Olokun, Taught tributes flowing, Fee his fond.

Black palms, rocking oceans,

Black palms, rocking oceans,

talking drums.

talking drums.

Seven women rattle old, oh, goo, Breathing coals to baptize this pong.

Seven women rattle old, oh, goo, Breathing coals to baptize this pong.

Aching goods decipher ring, oh, shoo.

Aching goods decipher ring, oh, shoo.

She denies the blood red urge to run.

She denies the blood red urge to run.

Sister warriors, we're Burnt, burnt, knives drawn, black palms, rocking ocean,

Sister warriors, we're Burnt, burnt, knives drawn, black palms, rocking ocean,

rocking ocean, rocking ocean,

rocking ocean, rocking ocean,

drum.

drum.

She lights their pyre, ha, to mock the sun, raffia skirts, praise Oya.

She lights their pyre, ha, to mock the sun, raffia skirts, praise Oya.

Thunder, yawn, aching goods, deciphering ocean.

Thunder, yawn, aching goods, deciphering ocean.

Ah, black palms, rocking oceans, into drum, drum.

Ah, black palms, rocking oceans, into drum, drum.

Thank you.

Thank you.