Journal
weighted material burden Mar 30, 2018
by Daemond Arrindell
A response to Material Deviance in Contemporary American Culture by Alice Gosti (Mar 29-Apr 1, 2018) (Photo: Tim Summers)
wait wait for the darkness
wait for the darkness to feel like memory
the ones you carry but do not remember
behind you where we put our weight
wait for the bodies to come out
to carry our brief and wondrous moments
our tears and fears, our regrets and missteps
wait for the weighted bodies
to move around our flashy screens
to cut through our acquaintance chats with artificial intelligence
wait for the weighted bodies
wait for the faded t-shirts and dresses
the ones that lost their sheen after the 23rd wash
that bleached out the rejection
and the ghosting
and that face with that name
wait for the weighted bodies that make us commonplace
like swap meet where we be on display
wait for the mirrors and their stories
so unkind to ego and bravado
wait and see our distorted past presenting itself in weighted time
when did you cut yourself loose
when did you chain yourself back up
do you feel deserted
turn around
turn again and come full circle
wait and see what you have left behind
does being weighted make you want to scream
we were once bright shiny new
now we are misfit toys waiting
to be tossed out with the Tuesday trash
been waiting and still have not realized
you are not your car
nor the trash you throw
nor the teddy bear you hold tight still
surrender to the questions
who do you lean on
who holds you up
who holds you back
say goodbye to the burdens of carrying
see the body as treasure
not a placekeeper for burden
say goodbye
to the memories weighing us down
to the weight
to wait
to the waiting
and the darkness
Daemond Arrindell is a poet, playwright, performer, and teaching artist who is moved most by art that challenges the status quo.
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