A TASTE OF HEAVENLY BLUES

 

"Woman, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become its soul."  -Coretta Scott King

These words dig deeper than a two edged sword. As I sit here trying to curate my words carefully, I am met in this space with a woman who is screaming to be heard, seen, and appreciated for all of the burdens she was forced to carry. As she continues to this day to save the soul of this "nation", she sacrifices herself in the process. She didn't sign up to be a martyr. She simply wanted to be what God created her to be.

I grew up around women who tried so hard to stand in their womanhood but were knocked down by the fists of this world. They were expected to be soft but be strong as mules to make the comforts of others a priority. I used to watch these warrior women smile at each other, not just a simple greeting, but as a way of acknowledging the familiar pain in each other's eyes. They saw each other. They helped each other. They knew that they had to save each other because no one else cared enough to do so.

In true Lyric form, I stand before you as naked as I can be. Far too often, we neglect to free ourselves for fear of offending others. I am fully aware of how hard my words will hit in this post. That's my mission! I plan to shatter the generational "tradition" that we as black women have been passing down our bloodlines for centuries. I don't know about you but I am tired of being everyone's savior. As I type these words, I am trying to balance fury and frustration, empathy and understanding, but most of all rage. Why? Because as women, we not only have to endure the attempts made on our lives and bodies, but we also have to live with the death sentence of being forgotten and displaced from support. Our pain is overlooked because of the false narrative of being "a strong black woman." When we ask for help, we are looked upon as weak. They are constantly comparing us to a former generation. They are always talking about the women of the "good ole days". But...

Let me put them on to game real quick. These women deserve the honor that they aren't fit to lay hands on. They had to run their households because they knew that there were no other options. They allowed their spirits to be broken in order to survive. They endured the mighty fists of control beheld by weak men who wanted to show off their misguided manhood status. They sacrificed themselves for their children in hopes of shielding them from the blows that they had to endure. They had the same strength as you but God saw their tears and wiped them by sharing his spirit with them. They didn't possess super powers. God became their power in order for them to make it through.  "Strong Black Woman" is simply a myth. 

Myth: A false reality. A traditional story of misconception concerning the early history of a people, typically branding them as supernatural beings. 

Society, as well as those in our community, believe we have super human powers. When we are sick, they still expect us to cater to them. We aren't supposed to get tired. We are supposed to be who they want us to be, feel how they want us to feel, and do what they want us to do.  If we fail to live up to their standards, we are then labeled as angry, defiant, selfish, or immoral. We are trying to stuff ourselves into a box that doesn't exist. We are killing ourselves for others. So who do we have then? Who is there for us?? Hold on baby, I'll tell you: I am!!!

I am here to show you that allowing for physical and emotional vulnerability is not weakness. It's human nature. Understand this, we were created to show emotions. We are human just like everyone else. So stand in who you are. Never allow anyone to steal something that doesn't belong to them. What is that you ask? Your spirit. It is your truth in its purest form. Got it? Good! Moving on...

Let's talk about sensuality for a minute, shall we? I may ruffle a few feathers with this one, but let's get it...

What is my personal definition of sensuality?

Sensuality is the essence of your womanhood oozing out from your sacred space. This sacred space slowly opens to sprinkle the air around you with its sweet scent. This happens only when you take complete control over it and own it. I have come to realize how some of us allow others to dictate how our womanhood shows up in the world. These such ones are not blessed to know how the vibration between our thighs is more powerful than an earthquake. Sensuality is deeper than sex. It's about the personal power of individuality, strength, self love, and confidence. This isn't to be confused with arrogance, but acknowledged as a humble submission to oneself. It is tapping into what was lost or perhaps never discovered by most. True sensuality is the key to bringing who we are, in alignment with, who we were created to be. With this being said, there are people trying to shape our sensuality in the silhouette of their desires. They are not concerned about our desires. They just want us to be a slave to theirs. If they knew better, they would want to dig deeper into what we possess. God made sure to make it clear that women are to compliment a person, not to be dominated by them. If they would only allow space for us to fully bloom, then they would be blessed to see the beautiful array of colors that exist within our flower, our womanhood as it was meant to be beheld. In one of his poems, Tupac said, "In the midst of passion, 2 figures stand emerged in ecstasy joined hand in hand. Words are unnecessary, feelings are heard. The body takes control deaf 2 words."  Notice his use of the number 2 instead of spelling it out. It takes 2 separate entities to become one. This is when they are the most powerful. It takes 2 hearts to create a bond of love, passion, and security. We thrive in safe environments. In this space, we are supposed to grow together, flow together, and "be" who we are together. That is what heaven feels like. Unfortunately, some of us will never make it there.

I will leave you with some more poetic words from Tupac, from his poem entitled: BLACK WOMAN ( in the manner that he wrote it)

BLACK WOMAN

The day I met u I saw strength

and I knew from that point on

that u were pure woman 2 me

possessing a spirit that was strong.

I want smiles 2 replace the sorrow

that u have encountered in the past

and since it was strength that attracted me 2 u

it will take strength to make it last.

My negative side will attempt 2 change u

but please fight that with your all

it will be your strength that keeps us both standing

while others around us fall.

    -Tupac Shakur

So tell me...

Will you continue to sacrifice your soul for this "nation" or will you sacrifice this "nation" for your soul? See you in the next one!

                                                                                     Yours Truly,

                                                                            Courtney "Lyric" Morton

My Books, Brown Skin Burning & Healed By Fire: The Final Burn are available on Amazon. Follow me on Instagram: @Vintagewithsoul_

Have a topic you want me to discuss? Email me at Lyricsoul12@gmail.com.