poems from the workshop : Dis-Ease, Connectivity, and Women's Experimental Writing

The City College Center for Worker Education Conference on Women and Work, 2003

Mercedes Arnao
Lisa Plaskett Fuentes
Deborah Jackson
Kai-Ama Mootoo
Rita Peterson

UNTITLED

:: by Mercedes Arnao

Connections as
we feel the
words

ear tunnels carry
sound waves
to see

Eyes read sign
language

knitting languages

mal entendu

seratonin/coherent/parts

connections see
words

motion/circular
spiral

muted words a
combination
of/in/as/for/by
flowing in space

abriendo palabras
llegué a rina
inmensidad

male
female
rhymes
clouds
this world

case a stirring
feeling try
to get out
of soul

running to
ayer

© Mercedes Arnao 2003




HEALTH

:: by Lisa Plaskett Fuentes

Sensitive
Age and Transitions.
Teeth/Hygiene
Being Human
Health is expensive
Emotional diarrhea.
Brain faxes info to affected
organs.
All of a sudden
uneasiness occurs.
portion is oppressed.
Thoughts unwind.
information is sought.
worry develops.
flows like spirals.
through the esophagus
excreting
again & again.
Treatment
Treatment Again
insurance/no insurance
despair

© Lisa Plaskett Fuentes 2003




RELAX WITH POETRY

:: by Deborah Jackson

Poetry is like the brain it's always able to learn new ideas
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience)

Poetry needs a change of new ideas from time to time
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience)

Poety reading is like having good sex it gets better with age & time
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience)

Poetry helps you to learn about the world around you
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience)

Poetry relaxes the body & mind
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience)

Poetry can convey a thought, a story, or just a phrase to make you think
"relax w/poetry" (repeated by audience 3X)

"phase out"

© Deborah Jackson 2003




MY BODY IS A POEM

:: by Kai-Ama Mootoo

Worlds flow like blood through lines of written text

Bones & Hair
Voices & Sounds
Syllables
Rhythm

Pace of walking, exercising even

simply eating
My body is a poem--like trees
roots & leaves
stems & flowers

And sunflower--seeds eaten on park benches

I grow despite the concrete
Old school words sound sweet
"Blacks don't need sun block"
"Braids make your hair grow"
Words mommy said

"Remembers not quite heard. Not certain. Heard not at all. Words that fell like rain.
Rain dreams from sounds little by little. By little."

My body is a poem--A POEM!

jigged out, fashizzy + fo shizzle and for sho!

Schools--new and old BUT

I am the Poet. And the Poet gives it the soul.

© Kai-Ama Mootoo 2003




POEM FROM THE CONFERENCE

:: by Rita Peterson

I.
Peu á peu
paralysis
connected with
my visions
send messages
to all my members.

II.
Peu á peu
my brain
lies
within my
heart.

III.
Emotionally fractured
wanting to dissolve
where is peace?
who am I?
what am I?

IV.
Peu á peu

© Rita Peterson 2003

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