At tender age, this child would feel the weight of guilt and shame
when she was raped by mother's friend, a man whom she would name.
But worse to come, her culprit killed, her shock drowned out her tears
and, caged within her trauma, she was mute for four long years.
Believing that the blame was hers - her voice had struck him dead -
she dared not speak another word, encased within instead.
She'd find her peace in love of books, not uttering a sound,
escaping in her silent realm to watch the world around.
Her saviour was a teacher who befriended and avowed:
her poetry would never chime until she versed out loud.
And this would open up the door to Shakespeare, Dickens, Poe,
a new beginning, unafraid, for art to bloom and grow.
But first this fledgeling bird must fly, embrace the joy life brings,
with spirit and ambition, she would learn to spread her wings;
for dance invoked her rhythmic roots, impassioned path of truth,
arousing sensuality, dispelling ghosts of youth.
She revelled in her sassiness, gyrated to her beat,
her enigmatic myst'ry luring suitors to her feet!*
Her touring and exploring saw her glory come of age,
in writing and performing she adorned her centre stage.
And this was her defiance, a black ocean leaping high,
a welling, swelling energy borne fearless on the tide.*
And with this revelation she would find the strength inside
to fight against oppression with new vigour amplified.
Returning home from lands afar, intent to seek, redeem
true justice for her ancestors, united with King's* dream.
She used her anger as a force of duty to commit -
you paint it, dance it, vote it, never stop expressing it.*
And, mid success in film and show, she wrote inspiringly,
with power, born of facing foe, she urges to be free:
resist the chains of slavery, still present from the past,
and celebrate in sisterhood a voice to share at last.
In stirring speech for Clinton's launch, she praises a new dawn,
to stand upon the rock of age and sculpt the advent morn.
Though hist'ry cannot be undone, horizons bid us change,
to shun the brutal yoke of fear, bring hope within our range.
A whirlwind of majestic might, unbroken, ever strong,
she soared in joy and honesty, then shared her heart in song.
And, though her journey was beset by "bitter twisted lies,"
her soul remains invincible, like life, she sings, "I'll rise."
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