Member-only story
I’m holding onto midnight, though I know none of us make it out of this life alive
I don’t know the hour of the day or night I was born,
but in my heart — I claim it as midnight
the Blackest hour,
that Wilson Pickett Black soul love uncompromised
that Yasiin Bey/Mos Def, Marvin Gaye — Black on Both Sides
that Nina Simone — Black onyx, reflecting the times ‘freedom is mine’
that’s just how I feel inside
so, each and every night
I surrender myself and fall up to the sky,
as I cloud hop I fill my lungs with as much sleep as I can find,
the resistance requires rest — not just hustle and grind
for equality and progress and some kind of peace of mind
for we the people, we Black star shine
dripping like diamonds bathed in moonlight
we belong in the sky, high as midnight
I hail up all ancestors for my wings when I fly
my inheritance is knowledge of self
to continue the dream — and grand rise,
rejuvenate and wash Babylon out through my eyes
lord knows — I do try
