a sign, flashing in fluorescent colors
would declare the revolution
"NOW OPEN"
for all the sisters and brothers
And when the doors opened and the red ribbon was cut
we would rush to tear down the walls of the prison industrial complex
and a sign encouraging accountability, self actualization and healing
would declare each freed man and woman as being
"Under New Management!"
If Revolution Were an After Thanksgiving Day Sale
we would push and shove our way to the voting booths
and if the numbers didn't add up, we would snatch up the red tape
tie it around the electoral college's neck and relentlessly demand an accurate count
forcing our way to the truth, justice and righteousness of a fair price
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
we would do flying leaps over counter/productive activities
like unprotected sex, alcoholism and drug addiction
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
We would run to the checkouts with coupons that would guarantee us
10% off old men hounding teenage girls, 30% off domestic violence
and 50% off child molestation
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
brothers and sisters would take mad dashes down the aisles of love
in colorful flowing dresses and white and black adorned suits
making desperate declarations of Black love, Black love, Black love
because we couldn't get enough of one another
and didn't know how to stop ourselves from overindulging
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
Black businesses that cared about their communities and
communities that cared about Black businesses
would have two-hour long lines just waiting to get into the store
and Black investors would teach us how to layaway our money
and pay ourselves first so that each month
there would be an increase in savings
and a decrease in conspicuous consumption
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
Real policemen would do overtime directing drug traffic
out of my community
and wouldn't take get out of jail free cards
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
we would see each other out and about more often
except it would be at community meetings and Saturday schools
and classic soul concerts
and food co-ops with harvest goods provided by Black farmers
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
we wouldn't be in an organization that would just debate and debate and debate
one idea after another finding fault.
We would immediately run and try things on, just grab it and go
and if one plan didn't work, then we would simply return it or exchange it for something new
all the while learning from our experiences to keep on searching for that perfect fit!
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
If Revolution Were an After-Thanksgiving Day Sale
But
revolution is just revolution
and change never comes that easy
revolutions may be televised
but never celebrated in advance
and flyers advertising social change don't fill our mailboxes
with declarations abolishing the sale of our souls
because revolution is just revolution
and no matter if I watch or participate
either way I still feel like
one jive turkey
© November 28, 2003 Dr. Goddess / Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D.*
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| "It ain't cool bein' no jive turkey so close to Thanksgivin'... YEAH!" |
Professional Publishers please do not publish this poem without the EXPLICIT PERMISSION of the author. Email: drgoddess(at)drgoddess(dot)com
You may see this poem performed in all of its hilarity (including the red, black and green shopping bags rushing in at the start of this trailer LIVE when Dr. Goddess!: A One Woman Show goes back on tour Spring 2011):
*"If Revolution..." was inspired by a poem written by the fabulous Tyehimba Jess entitled, "When Niggas Love Revolution Like They Love the Bulls" (1992). Thank you, Tyehimba!
