One of the Rides of My Life: WomanPreach from the Artist-in-Residence By Jaha Zainabu

September 21, 2021October 24, 2021 Cynthia Holder Rich

when we come together

o let us come together / share hugs in no uncertain words /come one / come two / come ten / come through / come thirty / we hold hands and lift hearts together / stories good enough to sleep under / the realist place I know / the teaching is balm and the learning is good / mouths open and good preaching clutches the corners of the room / we conjure a world filled with our voices / o our voices / praise be / even for the rain that falls / even for the pressed edges of hard times that come / thank You, Great Mother / for the sun that shines / praise for the dances we do / for our determined spirits / praise for the world / for the difference that makes a difference we are

Things I tell myself while sitting alone

I remind myself that I am alone / not alone alone / but alone enough to be sure the work is mine to do / no matter how much help I have / that God is in my heartbeat / Her hands rhythm me to a place so still I remember that there is no separation between me and my most impossible dream / yes I am a dreamer / and a lover too / this body can hold a sweet smile and send out potent prayers / I tell myself to become one with the sounds around me / the cars whizzing by outside / Nipsey Hussle preaching through the stereo / the buzz in the air / my thoughts clashing against each other like dishes falling on concrete / you’re beautiful / beautiful I say / I tell myself over and again / just keep going / one foot in front of the other / rest / work / nourish / hydrate and repeat / keep growing / keep growing / you’re beautiful as you are / I remind myself to breathe / to feel the air filling my lungs / feel my feet on the floor / I envision the future while giving thanks for the lessons of the past / I sit / quietly / I still my mind and see tomorrow / coming

Dear Lot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wABJL5pl8tQ&t=129s

Dear Isaac: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eftmI_m6sRc

From and about Jaha Zaiabu: Being the artist-in-residence for WomanPreach for the past eleven years has been and is one of the rides of my life. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I accepted the position in 2009. The position was only supposed to be for a year but after the first event in Lancaster, PA I knew I had found my tribe. Thankfully they felt the same.

Through WomanPreach I have been blessed to learn many good lessons from my WP family. My life still changes during or after each event. Someone shares an experience or passage from a book or quote from a friend that provides insight to an area of my life where I am struggling. I have had shifts in my romantic and professional relationships as well as my relationships with myself and God. Also being able to share my experiences and poetry helps me become more and more vulnerable and so a better artist. What I enjoy most about WomanPreach is that I get to be of service while having the experience of being understood and heard.