Illicit: The work of Sacramento Poet Laureate Andru Defeye
Editor’s note: This story is part an ongoing series of journalism produced as part a collaboration between The Sacramento Bee, Sol Collective and other community organizations called the “Community to Newsroom Pipeline.” To learn more or to contribute, email us at voices@sacbee.com.
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The following is a sample of poetry from Illicit, the work of Sacramento Poet Laureate Andru Defeye. To view or purchase Defeye’s work, visit his website at www.guerrillapoet.com.
Joseph Mann
The police killed another un-
armed black man today
That makes four
(i’ve heard about)
(just)
this week.
It’s Tuesday.
I am white and I choose to care.
That is a hell of a privilege.
******
Her vs. Silence
I love her.
And every thought she has.
But not nearly as much as silence.
I’ve never been sure how to
break it to her.
I crave it.
The noise of my past echoes
like too much reverb.
too much delay.
Not enough space.
Silence is the 13th note.
I love her.
but sometimes it’s work to listen
to more noise bouncing off of
these hollow walls
I just want to dream
and sleep
and wake up to her there
sometimes
For me the truest love is not
found entertaining each other
but simply being
together
in the silence.
******
Every Sunday morning
Every Sunday morning
I would watch him
come down the hall
as groggy as the rest of us
in pain like the rest of us
And I watched
as we pulled up to the church
As he turned off the alarm
and unlocked all the doors
before he took his place at the entrance
I watched my father transform
from the man who yelled at me
to cut the grass
to a healer of the people
Every Sunday morning
A tangible superhero with no
phone booth to speak of
My father taught me the active
role you have in miracles
Every year it seems that he
knew a little more
and every year it gets to be
a longer walk to those church doors
But he will be there
Every Sunday morning
******
Self Addressed
Love over hate.
Dedication over expectation.
Know yourself.
Recognize your ego.
Practice peace.
Accept reality.
Be the change.
Dream fearlessly.
Give freely.
Love yourself to love others.
Radiate.
Remember where you came from.
You are accountable to the stars.
Value your energy.
Practice gratitude.
Take pride in your work.
Empower your community.
Teach the children.
Listen more than you talk.
Meditate.
Breathe.
Slow down.
Focus.
Love.
This story was originally published September 22, 2020 at 9:58 AM.