Remember Me

   I want to be remembered.
   I want my name said.
   Remember I was the daughter of Ernestine,
   who was the daughter of Nettie,
   who was the daughter of Connie,
   whose mother I do not know,
   but still remember to remember.
   I want to be remembered for remembering.
   I want to be remembered as a bridge.
   Remember I tried to help us get there.
   I want to be remembered for being a shelter.
   Remember me for building and sharing.
   I want to be remembered for being a loyal friend.
   Remember I loved you
   even when you were an imperfect vessel.
   I want to be remembered for my loving black heart.
   Remember how I loved unconditionally
   until it was impossible.
   I want to be remembered for saying the words whispered in my ear.
   Remember me swinging nouns and verbs like swords.
   I want to be remembered for my courage.
   Remember me standing in the valley of the shadow
   with truth in one hand
   a desert eagle in the other.
   I want to be remembered as being a part of the paradigm shift.
   Remember me as a mother of lions.
   I want to be remembered as a warrior.
   Remember me as a guerilla in your midst.
   I want to be remembered as a fierce enemy.
   Remember I am Nzinga, born again,
   Nat Turner & Harriet, used to be me.
   I want to be remembered for acting up.
   Remember me setting fires on stages.
   I want to be remembered for the words.
   Remember me crying over the news.
   I want to be remembered like Garvey.
   Remember to forgive my sins
   look for me in the whirlwind.
   I want to be remembered for my love of nation.
   Remember us from doors of no return
   spread like ocean seed from shore to shore.
   I want to be remembered for my determination.
   Remember that if I can
   I'll come again
   a warrior still
   rising again and again
   my love won't sleep.
   Remember me.