The
N-Word
If
that word were a man
would
that word stand tall?
Would
that word be your equal?
Would
that word sound grand?
If
that word were a woman
would
that word be your girlfriend?
Would
that word be educated?
Would
that word understand?
If
that word were your king
would
that word be fair?
Would
that word have grace?
Would
that word rule the land?
If
that word were a child
would
that word be joyful?
Would
that word feel the sting
of
the back of your hand?
And
if that word were a dog
would
that word come to heel?
Would
that word eat off your floor
Would
that word bite your hand?
And
if that word is a river,
is
it polluted by you?
And
if that word is a clock,
did
you stop time too?
And
if that word is a cage,
do
you have the keys?
And
if that word is a forest
can
you see the wood for the trees?
That
word is the N-Word.
Do
you use it with shame?
Do
you use that name because
you
don’t understand?
You
spread ignorance and fear
like
a million wet grains of sand.
Every
time I hear the word Nigger
That
word is a gun
loaded
with negativity and history
blood
n’ fire n’ truth run.
Sticks
and stones may break my bones
but
names will always hurt thee,
If
that word were a flag
I’d
burn it happily,
because
we still have slavery
In
the 21st Century.
If
that word had a soul
I
would set her free
If
that word had a soul
I say set
him free
If
that word had a soul
I
say set them free.
And
if that word is the word
You’d
use to describe me,
I
say set me free, set me free,
Set
me free.
(c) Salena Godden / 2014
Poem commissioned for BBC documentary on Radio 4's archive hour 'The History of The N-Word'
The programme also featured this short excerpt from 'Springfield Road'
Broadcast June 21st 2014 - Please click here to listen again
The programme also featured this short excerpt from 'Springfield Road'
Broadcast June 21st 2014 - Please click here to listen again
'The N-Word' published in 'Fishing In The Aftermath Poetry 1994-2014' with Burning Eye this July. Literary childhood memoir 'Springfield Road' is published in September with Unbound