April is National Poetry Month. Poetry is often a way to creatively express our truths, bring awareness to the world, sometimes heal ourselves from our past or encourage others in their own journey. The Maryland Lynching Memorial Project hosts an annual Racial Justice Poetry Contest every March. This year Kenwood sophomore Divyne Daniels’ poem Parched was selected as the runner up for the grade 9 & 10 division of the contest. She was selected as one of the top writers out of 195 entries.
She will be recognized on April 26 at the Racial Justice Poetry Exhibition at the Carver Center for Arts and Technology. She also won $100 for her winning entry. Read her winning poem below.
Parched
By Divyne Daniels
The dreadful sun beats on his back tearing his neck from rope.
As his body weighs down the branch, I watch as it splinters and bend as it
strains to uphold
I watch as his beaten body sways, as his neck split like the torne fabric of his clothes
Why? I can’t speak. I fear for all of my peoples life
So young, my age.
Will I ever be unshackled from the fear this country puts in me to
Combat this injustice?
Will my people ever be from under their heels?
I feel parched, I can’t speak.
The branch breaks in two.
CRACK
His body falls to the ground branch on top of him.
I flinch, I must have been here for hours.
Just watching
Just watching, cause that’s all anyone can do right?
I wonder what he thought of doing after his trial, stripped from him in a blink of an eye.
I slowly back up
What can anyone do? What can I do?
At that moment I feel all I can do is run.
I feel parched, as if I’ll never be allowed to quench this thirst after what I’ve seen.
How can I drink if he and those who suffered the same fate as him can no longer.
I feel parched
I sear these moments into my brain others might forget but I won’t
I contemplate as my
Throat constricts
Daniels is one of a growing number of Kenwood student writers recognized for their writing in various local contests and publications. She also one of numerous student writers that have submitted writing for monetary awards. Students interested in learning more about local contests and publication opportunities outside of school should see Mrs. Glenn or Ms. Cooper.
Congratulations again to Divyne Daniels on using her poetic voice to address racial justice.
