POET OF THE WEEK
Joy Okot-Okidi
Week of July 31
Back to your body of water collection
99/365
99/365
I know what the water wanted (Inspired by Hurricane Katrina)
I know what the water wanted
They whispered
Did you see how dark she was
I know what the water wanted
Bullets plunging under water
Engulfed, drowning
I know what the water wanted
Melanin
A color you tried to wash away
It is permanent
I know what the water wanted.
I know what the water wanted (Inspired by Hurricane Katrina)
I know what the water wanted
They whispered
Did you see how dark she was
I know what the water wanted
Bullets plunging under water
Engulfed, drowning
I know what the water wanted
Melanin
A color you tried to wash away
It is permanent
I know what the water wanted.
Joy Okot-Okidi 20, Renton
FIRST POEM I wrote a collection of poems when I was 13. I dedicated it to my godparents who passed away.
FAVORITE POETRY FORM I love spoken word.
WRITING LIKE WATER It is like the lapping waves on a shore, like a stinging belly flop.
EXPLORE MORE
Amharic | birth | blessing | Chinese | drought and thirst | family | home | if water could speak | Indigenous | justice | like water | local waters | love and loss | Lushootseed | memory | Northgate | oceans and seas | Punjabi | rain | rivers and lakes | Russian | Spanish | sweat and tears | swim | Tlingit | toilets and taps | transit | Vietnamese | we are water | wildlife | Youth
