Yes, you read that right! I did something exciting recently!
I recited an original poem at my first open mic! The virtual teen open mic was centered around Black History Month and all performers were required to present something inspired by or about an influential person from Black history. So, as Black History Month comes to a close and Women's History Month rounds the corner, I invite you to listen to and read my poem "Prolific."
Prolific
What do I want to be?
I used to say a star
shining bright
with luminous rings
dancing about
in the reflection of their eyes
But what good is a flame that
will burst
after all
in smithereens
and only be remembered
to have burned?
No.
I want to be prolific
and bear the fruit of my labor
In overflow;
tantalizing mangos
rejuvenating citrus
peculiar papaya
tumbling out from me
Speaking to the continuous truth
that spins from my tongue
like a hunger that can’t be
fed from the smoke of a
star
Yes.
I want to be prolific like
Wangare Maathai
the first African woman
to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
for her bounteous replication of foliage
She bore the fruit of her labor
In overflow;
51 million trees
and counting
planted from her
Green Belt Movement
that began in 1977
Awarded "for her
contribution to
sustainable development,
democracy and
peace."
A Kenyan scholar
born in Nyeri
and of the Kikuyu tribe
whose accomplishments
impact many
Now I know
what I want to be
Prolific.
I, Andrea Agola
a Kenyan-American scholar
born in Nairobi
and of the Kikuyu, Luhya and Luo tribes
whose accomplishments
will impact many