https://theoffingmag.com/micro/blk-girl-art/
By: Jamila Woods The poem “Blk Girl Art,” by Jamila Woods, is one that plainly expresses the power of words, as intended by the writer. In it, Woods details her desire to have her words transcend space, time, and scenario. This idea was one that powerfully resonated with me, as I enjoy writing and, wish more than anything else for my words to take every form that I cannot. The task, I find, when sitting down to write, is never the construction of word or phrase, but the construction of idea and impact. I’ve seen in all the pieces of literature that I genuinely admire, that words, if applied with the right passion, can assume any position that is vacant. Certainly, as yet another ever-evolving poet Dominique Christina states, “words make worlds”. Throughout the poem, Woods expands upon the specific positions she wishes her words would fill. She begins by stating that poems, communities of words, must be “eyeglasses, honey tea with lemon, and hot water bottles on tummies”; here, she is stating that poems must immovably present themselves as lens’ of clarity, instruments of focus, and a means of comfort and alleviation of pain. She goes on to say that she desires her poems to be the topic of conversation, something that can fill pews and harmoniously intermingle with hymns and the gospel. Woods desires words that are hot, words that are easily afforded all men, and words that can be used as shelter. Woods continues in stating that she wants “to hold a poem in [her] fist in the alley just in case”. This particular statement affirms the intended power of the words applied. Words of this nature hold a weighty defense against those who wish to harm you; the words, as she details them, are just as much strength as comfort. Her words serve as a shield against cat-calls, years of misogyny and sexist fallacy forced on uninterested women, like hands. With this, she wishes to show more of herself, her true inner self, in all of its unaltered glory and wonder. With these words, she will build up her sister and pay homage to the unprocessed and unhinged aspects of her mother; they will be: hot enough disrupt, detailed enough to instruct, fluid enough to carry forth, and still enough to soothe and transcend. Truly, Jamila Woods presented with this piece the sincerity of the artist. She details every turn that she wishes for her words to make, and in this text she lays the groundwork for those paths.
7 Comments
Michelle
12/4/2016 06:18:49 pm
Mya,
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Mya
12/11/2016 04:45:46 pm
I think it's quite apparent that Woods' imagery is the driving force of her work. I think that she used these particular terms to highlight the nostalgia of her youth. She depicted cultural staples, like shea butter, and ensured that the piece would be true to her identity and thus, her "blk girl art".
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Kelsey P
12/5/2016 06:26:36 am
I adore the poem you chose and your analysis was great! I think it is really helpful as well as really inspiring when you can relate to the poem you read. The striking imagery was fascinating and even the structure of the poem itself. Even if it is a small detail, by breaking off "to soar" from the poem, Woods is reflecting the very action being stated. I really enjoyed reading your analysis!
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Okay first, your writing is wonderfully beautiful and a probably the best I've seen out of all the analysis' that I've read. Second, your analysis is impeccable. I can clearly see that the poem's message on the power of words hit home with you as your writing is clearly powerful as well. It's really impressive!(:
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Summer Taylor
12/5/2016 08:41:02 am
Wow, your analysis is very in-depth. I love how you included the emotional appeal your author either said or implied. Your personal goals in the analysis also create a personal connection with whoever is reading it, in this case, it's me. I believe you can be the writer you want to be if you continue to write like this! Truly beautiful.
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Alex Ponce
12/6/2016 11:22:15 am
I especially love when you say that "words are a weighty defense against those who harm you", because that really touches on the impact that mere words and poetry can have. Writing, words, and literature truly can transcend the tangible mediums of the world and express the more complex phenomena and experience of humanity.
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Ashley G from WV
12/9/2016 07:47:47 am
This poem is very unique and I am very impressed that you picked up on the overall theme. You did well on expressing your thoughts too. Good job.
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AuthorMya |