Humility

by Yakari Gabriel   Jan 21, 2016


For the most part, I spend my days asking myself
why do people have so much interest
in the humility of artists.
(I do not see them ask this of anyone else)
but they want it from us.
us, that open every single door
of our soul for them to peek in
us, that sometimes are dissatisfied wit our craft-
make a fool out of ourselves, cry out of shame
to then take the stage over, over, and over again.

Why do you want my humility?
what do you want to do with it?
take it home and hang it on a wall?
I, that am an immigrant, a woman of color
and beautiful in the way they
told you women have no right to be.

I, that share with you all my intimate parts-
I, that without any fear, refuse to feel
the shame in my shame and the disdain
in my disdain

from me...
you want to demand humility?
as if I have not given you enough,
as if the pain in my poetry
and the truth in my words
are meals that don't fill you

admit it,
you want my humility,
because you want power over me
but-
nothing of mine is for you
not my humility, not even this poem

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Latest Comments

  • 8 years ago

    by hiraeth

    Judging comment:

    A strong poem from Yakari, that explores the balance between humility and the artist, although it's a personal piece with the poet refusing to give up her humility since it is a power play by society or by an individual (denoted by 'you' in the poem) it still made me think of the humility of artists. Some artists are extremely humble about their poems, and others are extremely self-aware (which may come across as being arrogant), although their level of humility has no bearing on the piece itself, it still interesting to explore this relationship. Great job.

  • 8 years ago

    by Mr. Darcy

    Hello Yaki,

    a thought provoking write here.

    well done on your win.

    Take care,

    Michael

  • 8 years ago

    by Cindy

    Congratulations on your win
    Take care
    Cindy

  • 8 years ago

    by Daisy if you do

    Yaki,
    You always wrap me around your little poetic fingers! As always, you make me question things, but you give definitive answers in your poems. I can imagine your papiamento accent ( which I love) reciting this poem in a coffee shop or on stage somewhere and the cynics sit there with noses turned because "they" will never have a piece of you. But I....I am one of the lucky ones... because being an artist of the same value, I get a piece of you, your heart and your poetry, knowing it touches me as it does you!
    bo ta insanely talented! stima kada pida abo krea. stimabo maestra.

    To meet you my dear lady is still on my bucket list as well. Can't wait to meet you!

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