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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2017)
Page 12 Resilient Street Roots • July 21 -27, 2017 Poetry Wonder by Kareem Ali by Eileen Vizenor I’ve been called “resilient,” Not sure what that word means. However, if it means that I’m a survivor, then it is true. I’m a survivor of domestic violence. I’m a survivor of homelessness. I’m a survivor of self-hate. And, at present I am learning to survive IBS health issues. As well as learning to survive mental health issues. If the above constitutes being “resilient,” so be it! Because I am. Wild iris, marigolds and marsh Tulips rolling in And moist clumps of clouds Hovering over a dust of rain. Across from the old church Your heart was swallowed up By a tsunami of despair While outside A sea-green twilight grew And the moisture of your tears Showered the ground with diamonds That were almost Beautiful. Clarity’s Reality by Shaggy Occasionally, I’m scared of me and who I might turn out to be Expectations often clash with Aspirations from my past then Confidence ebbs and flows from thoughts and things I’m told My motivation starts to wane when life im p e d e s m y c h o se n ro ad I know I’m capable of more If only I could find the door That sets me free so I can see the path that leads me to my dreams Until then I’ll wander, and patiently ponder. How to balance my angels and demons Paint Floats by Michone Nettles To what can we compare this life? Oil floating on water? And there you are with your dreams Of love and beyond! From poetry I receive truth That’s abstract! For oil floats On water, that some have walked on, Some have swam the distance While we stand aside and look. Help me sing a song, and smile With life
