by Kim Alston

{"id":1791,"date":"2020-04-09T18:00:15","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T22:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.smith.edu\/religious-spiritual-life\/?p=1791"},"modified":"2020-04-09T18:18:39","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T22:18:39","slug":"liberation-poetry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.smith.edu\/religious-spiritual-life\/2020\/04\/09\/liberation-poetry\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberation Poetry"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this midst of this COVID-19 pandemic The Center for Religious and Spiritual Life\u00a0 invited members of the Smith community to reflect on the concept of liberation; what does it mean, how is it embraced, what can it illuminate? Smithies never cease to amaze us. These are three awe-inspiring \u00a0responses. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

liberation<\/strong><\/p>\n

in the depths of each trouble<\/p>\n

there is a solution until there is<\/p>\n

a solution to be found<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

when you get to that door<\/p>\n

some of us stand small, reluctant to ask for help<\/p>\n

while for others glide in as if there is no lock<\/p>\n

only a flowing curtain to pass as you please<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

inside this room, you will find<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

the wind that rushes past your hair, leaving whizzing in your ears<\/p>\n

the power of a strength-induced stride<\/p>\n

the smell of tickled grass that has danced in the rain<\/p>\n

the perfectly flattened, skipping pebble that ran across the lake<\/p>\n

the warmth of golden light rediscovering each pore of your face<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

in this room, you will see<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

the pull of melted chocolate in a freshly broken cookie<\/p>\n

the satisfaction of a perfectly whipped peak<\/p>\n

the spatula-scraped, tongue-licked bowl that is far cleaner than any soap could wash<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

in this room, you will face<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

the stomach-aching sobs that wrenched your bones dry<\/p>\n

the race in the pelting rain that cut into your skin as your wounds cut out<\/p>\n

the justice-filled roar demanding the injustice to be shivered into each soul<\/p>\n

in this room, you will hear<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

the silent tears that knew no company<\/p>\n

the invisible pain that hid behind smiles<\/p>\n

the internal fight that chose each day<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

in this room, you will seek<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

strength to fill the marrow of your bones<\/p>\n

self-forgiveness to wrap your heart<\/p>\n

and, of course, a night-light to lift the societal misjudged dark<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

in this room, you will choose<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liberation, because<\/p>\n

knowledge is knowing you are worth fighting for<\/p>\n

wisdom is remembering you ignite life<\/p>\n

and happiness is spending each breath fighting to be free<\/p>\n

Uzma\u00a0Malik \u201822 (she\/her)is interested in pursuing the intersection of health, psychology, and advocacy of the Middle East. She is part of CRSL\u2019s Interfaith Student Advisory Board and serves as the Social Justice, and Equity Representative for Al-Iman.<\/em><\/p>\n

Liberation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liberation is<\/p>\n

When everyone is safe<\/p>\n

When everyone is fed<\/p>\n

When everyone is housed<\/p>\n

When everyone has healthcare<\/p>\n

When everyone is accommodated<\/p>\n

When everyone is seen<\/p>\n

When everyone is heard<\/p>\n

When everyone listens<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liberation is not<\/p>\n

Eagles flying<\/p>\n

Flags waving<\/p>\n

Prisons containing<\/p>\n

Laws oppressing<\/p>\n

Guns shooting<\/p>\n

Bombs falling<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liberation is believing in the truth of each other’s experiences<\/p>\n

Liberation is acting in service\u00a0to others<\/p>\n

Liberation is eradication of privilege and power<\/p>\n

Liberation is restorative justice<\/p>\n

Liberation is elevating your safety over my comfort<\/p>\n

Liberation is a neverending\u00a0process.<\/p>\n

Toby Davis \u201903 (he\/him) is an Inclusion Education Trainer\/Facilitator in the Office for $\"\"$ Equity and Inclusion. He has been connected to the CRSL in one way or another since he attended Sunday School in Bodman Lounge in the \u201880s. Most recently, he is delighted to be a colleague and co-conspirator with the Center. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>Liberation<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Liberation is the like of love<\/p>\n

She feels like the brightness of a thousand moons<\/p>\n

yet her rays are soft<\/p>\n

When love fills you<\/p>\n

You see how the world becomes still.<\/p>\n

You can finally watch her and you\u2019re the only one in the crowd<\/p>\n

In all that she is and can be<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

You\u2019re at the mercy of her splenditude<\/p>\n

The willful submission of her spontaneity<\/p>\n

Love feels different<\/p>\n

This liberation feels calm<\/p>\n

In all the right places she fits<\/p>\n

No opening untethered<\/p>\n

Liberated in the limitless of her unending love<\/p>\n

Its sticky and like honey and you wish to make last for a lifetime<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liberation is knowing<\/p>\n

that your thousand splendid moons<\/p>\n

And the dandelions you roar through<\/p>\n

is everything you are deserving of<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

So let yourself be intoxicated by the possibility<\/p>\n

As rich as the finest silk<\/p>\n

Is the basin of her love<\/p>\n

A day will come where the pain that blinded you<\/p>\n

And the horizons you longingly looked over<\/p>\n

Will breakthrough with the light of her arrival<\/p>\n

For man,<\/p>\n

real<\/em> Love is our liberation<\/p>\n

Be soft to her glad tidings.”<\/p>\n

$\"\"$ <\/em><\/p>\n

Yacine Diama Fall\u2019 21 is a Biochemistry and African Studies major, active in Al-Iman and Student Government. She is very passionate about social change on campus and in the world.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"