Tag: Poetry

Juneteenth Celebration

Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH

For this Juneteenth Celebration, I submitted content to Hope Inc Stories. Being that this weekend is also Fathers Day, I shared one of my collages series called Malcolm X and a poem called Black Man. I want to honor the Black men in my life and community who have paved the way for our generations to be excellent, be intentional, be authentic, be original, be innovative, and finally one thing my husband always said during our courtship, “ Be Courageous”.

Click on the hyper link below to access.

https://hopeinc.com/poem-black-man.

This was originally published on Hope Inc. Stories. To read more stories of hope and recovery, please visit www.hopeinc.com.

Women

Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH

Today I contemplated the magnificent power that is women. My view of myself during my single life was bittersweet. I spent most my entire life trying to prove my value. I volunteered thousands of hours in my community and even though my resume is excellent people doubt my value or language that describes my own self.

Why is it easy for some to assume fault in someone without personal knowledge of the person.

I have experienced rejection for so long that the need for outside validation is never a pillar for stability of mind. I have been maligned, crucified, publicly humiliated, and betrayed time and time again. My values compel me to forgive, let go, and strive ahead.

I started motherhood in my late thirties which is consider “old” or “high risk”. All the same I carried both my two pregnancies successfully and delivered two beautiful boys for my husband.

The mere process of pregnancy is amazing.

What a woman can do man cannot.

Read it again.

We truly are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just imagine the breast milk our bodies produces to empower our small babies growth and development.

Back to my original thought…there was a point I couldn’t see my value as a female child growing up. I thought it was a curse to be female due to abuse of authority from toxic masculinity. So I strived for perfection which is grasping for straws in sand.

My value as a woman can be quantified in what Christ is to his followers eat and drink. A woman is sustenance to her unborn child, after she gives birth her body remains a place of refuge and sustenance for her growing baby. A woman is also a refuge and sacred space for her husband, her life’s companion, she brings life.

A woman truly presents herself a living sacrifice daily for those she loves in mind, body, and soul. We do this 24/7….365….rain or shine….sickness or health. We give up ourselves and put those we love first always.

What a woman can do man cannot.

The View

Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH

In 2009, I was afforded the opportunity to study abroad in Ghana West Africa. It was my senior year at the Evergreen State College Tacoma. I was invited by a Director of a private children’s home in Ghana. She asked me to create curriculum for her students. The subjects she wanted them to learn were Art, Music, and Leadership Development. Being a student at TESCT allowed me to create my own course with faculty sponsor. The name of my course was Cultural Studies and Curriculum Development.

Being an Artist, Musician, and Leader within my community made the task to create curriculum on Art, Music, and Leadership a breeze. My students, k-8, were amazing and it was a joy teaching all of them. During my off time is when I would explore the local area, market, and learn about the foods.

I would frequent a small Internet cafe in the nearby village. It was owned and operated by a young Ghanaian orphan. He gifted me my first lesson book to learn the local language of Twi. Anytime I stopped by the cafe to check my emails he would quiz me on my skills.

These memories were stirred up recently during my studio time. I started to paint with the color black, added white, and used a lot of water this time around. The process gave the piece a water color feel and look. The development of the piece has been very contemplative over several weeks. I have named the piece “The View”.

Part of my artistic expression is to take photos of my process and the various stages of my work. Later I observe and make creative decision on next steps. “The View” was created horizontally and one day I just decided to turn the piece vertically. What manifest was a beautiful woman deeply in gaze at the distant shore. Immediately my mind remembered my Ancestors, the stolen ones, from the shores of West Africa. I thought about the castles during my cultural studies tours and the tears that poured down my face while a strong wind from the Atlantic kissed my cheeks.

Happy Mother’s Day

Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH

Beautiful Women

Grandmother, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Cousin, Aunt

These are all roles we take

We are

Beautiful Women

Doctor, Counselor, Lover and Friend

Business Administrator, Accountant, Director and Dietician

Mediator, Motivational Speaker, Spiritual Leader and Teacher

We encompass all of these roles

We are

Beautiful Women

We rise to serve our people

We rise to serve our community

With gifts of Love

Accountability, Wisdom, Knowledge and Wells of Affection

We are

Beautiful Women

Our laughter is music to the ears of those who delight in the sound

Our tears in times of joy or sorrow bring healing to us, we, they

We are

Beautiful Women

Our smiles light the lives of those with whom we dwell

Our frown an eclipse to every-ones mood

We are

Beautiful Women

Beautiful Women

Beautiful Women

A life time of wages could not pay for one of our kind

For we are priceless

We are

Beautiful Women

Taking the World By Storm

Sabreehna S. Essien, MPH

Taking the world by storm

Never conform to the most horrific lie ever told

Lucifarian counterfeit clowns

Cut down with the relentless sword of truth

I thought you knew…taking no prisoners…the violence take it by force.

For our weapon of war are not carnal but mighty

Pulling down, uprooting, and destroying with principle

Planting seeds of right doing, right living, and right speaking

Child of the Everlasting Kingdom

Ambassador with a message for all ears to hear

Blazing a trail this world has never known…receiving divine directive daily

 God is commander and chief

On the battle field of life no relief

It seems at times I’m weak on the brink of collapse

Then my guardian angel pulls his wings back

Whispering heavenly messages of hope

Hold steady while the battle is raging

Keep your position never mention your doubts

Only trust in the refuge of Gods strength

Front-lines gett’in shook but won’t break

Defeat comes to all those who rise up against

The Army of the Lord of Host

Victory is ours.

-lsthurman- 13 March 2013