i kick when they kill by Jolivette Anderson
© 1994

while resting in the womb of Helen
conceived some time in November 67
time ticked
heard a bang in tennessee – I kicked
mama felt me
daddy heard the noise she made
said to her
‘what’s wrong with you today?’
five months pregnant how could she know
the child she carried moving in her so
kicked
so she would not be afraid
the child will lead you to peace always
I kicked when they killed
In april 68
I fell from mama’s womb -- straight
from god’s gate
i kicked when they killed
on the balcony in Tennessee
somewhere in louisiana
jolivette was born free

every year
the second hand still ticks
year after year
i kick and i kick
Others born that same year
may not have heard what I still hear

tick tick
tick tick

i still kick