Red is the New Black
Locations
When I was a child, I wanted to be a dancer.
Twenty hours a week, ice packs and recitals.
Dreaming of a stage with a full house and applause
But what I was missing, was working towards a cause.
Forward.
Twenty hours to Nairobi,
I stepped foot of a plane not knowing what would be
“Eg chekka,” made them smile
Mzungu was my name
Our language was different
But our love for dance was the same
A universal language that taught me in silence the important of education
A double major, tired mindset, but one trip changed it
These kids dreaming of a stage with a full house and applause
But what they were missing, was no judgment and unconditional love
Forward.
Twenty hours to Amsterdam,
Stepped foot off the plane to see dancers and greedy men.
The need for money made them smile
A debt was their name
Our needs were different
But our love for dance was the same
A universal language that taught me in silence the important of awareness
A focus in counseling, but one trip changed it.
Dreaming of a stage with a full house and applause
But what they were missing, was respect and an a change of the flaws that these men’s desires cause.
Forward.
Twenty hours back to the states
Step off the plane to notice sex trafficking happens in our own place.
Denial made them smile
Young prostitutes were their name
Our language was not different
Now there has to be a change.
Now that I am older, I still want to be a dancer.
Twenty hours a week, I will leap over obstacles and pirouette passed denial.
We must become aware and I will speak up until we do
Dreaming of a stage with a full house and applause
But what I am missing is your voice for this cause.
Comments
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BlueBirdsFlyHigher
Very empowering! A well written poem about a very important topic. I love the way you tied together all the different types of dancing into one cohesive thought. It really helps create an air of equality eliminating any tendencies some people may have to look down on prostitutes and other people in similar professions.