I stopped combing my mind, so my thoughts could lock!!! ~Saul Williams~
This poem started out of a conversation I had at work where I was explaining the significance of my growing dreadlocks (or just ‘locs’, coz I reject the notion of there being something dreadful about my hair!) Anyhow, to me they represent my coming out of my shell and expressing my creativity, not conforming to others’ expectations and being allowed to be free. (And yes, the last picture is a self portrait of where my locs are currently!) The poem explains it pretty well, I think – so please enjoy my……
Regal
Declaration
I decided to declare my freedom
And so …
I decided to let my hair grow
I decided that my growing locs
Would symbolize the shattering
Of the box
That had fit my psyche so
Conveniently
I decided to be ME
I decided to take the journey to
Discover new lands
Expand my horizons
See if I could view the
Stars of Orion’s constellation
From my new elevated position
I decided to be free
I decided to emancipate myself from
The hated position of subservient
The oppressed one
The one afraid to fully look up
For fear of being downtrodden
I am Lion – Hear Me ROAR!
But no more!
Hear the Lion’s roar
As confidence shakes out the growing mane
I look back with disdain at the cowering shell I was
And then, I face forward
Head up
Eyes flashing
And that sound?
That sound you’re hearing?
That sound is the crashing of the compartments I’d placed myself in
Crumbling walls symbolizing the fall of my limitations
And as I continue my journey
Seeing my baby locks grow up
I see the corresponding growth within myself
I look back and see how far I’ve come
Through trials and disappointments
And look forward towards the Lion I have become
And am still becoming
I release my hair symbolizing an embracing
Of my Creativity
My Personality
The Passion that engulfs me!
So
As I stand before you on poetry’s stage
Or as you are introduced to me on printed page
Know that before you is evolution in motion
Hear the Lion roar
And know this is only the beginning
I’m not done yet!
Related articles
- Things to consider when thinking about getting dreadlocks. (mydreadlockjourney.wordpress.com)
- A Reflection of My Natural Hair Journey 2013 (exoticroots.wordpress.com)
- Ledisi Reveals How She Cares for Her Locs (bet.com)
- 1 Year of Dreadlocks: A Reflection on Being You, For You (lglnewsletter.wordpress.com)
- And ‘hair’ we go again. (howtobewell.wordpress.com)
Passion's Pleasure 
I love it, and it resonates with everyone, young or old! Keep growing!
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Posted by ahhhpoetry | January 2, 2014, 2:15 PMthank you dear! 🙂
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 2, 2014, 2:42 PMA wonderful affirmation of not just feeling free but being free.
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Posted by Gemma Wiseman | January 6, 2014, 5:39 PMThanks so much Gemma!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 11:38 AMI found this very uplifting.. to break down your own barriers can be a refreshing freedom…
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Posted by The Transcanada Poet | January 6, 2014, 6:05 PMThanks so much! I love this poem!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 11:43 AMThis is spoken word poetry all the way. And hey, congratulations!
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Posted by Timoteo | January 6, 2014, 7:42 PMThank you. And it IS! It’s on my list of poems to learn so it can be added to my repertoire as a spoken word artist!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 11:48 AMLove the roar in this declaration of freedom! There is such joy in letting go of the things that chain your spirit! What a way to begin the new year!
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Posted by Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly) | January 6, 2014, 10:30 PMI agree! That’s why I posted it as my first post of the New Year! Thanks so much for passing by!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 11:44 AMVery cool! 🙂
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Posted by Loredana Donovan | January 6, 2014, 10:48 PMThank you soooooooo much!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 2:57 PMI can hear you ROAR! It is sounding through all the words of your poem! Good for you! Be yourself. It is a lesson I keep on learning every day!
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Posted by Kathie | January 7, 2014, 2:52 PMThank you Kathie! Watch this space for when the recording is done!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 2:57 PMhey good on you man…somewhat similar in my wearing a mohawk…the freedom of it…i wish i could do dreds….but hey whatever it takes to free the you inside there…roar indeed…smiles.
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Posted by brian miller | January 7, 2014, 5:22 PMThanks so much Brian 🙂 I know you get it! Happy New Year!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 5:26 PMvery cool… sometimes we have to just show the world our breaking free somehow as well… i’m loving dreads…would love to have some but wouldn’t be possible in my job…so… i’m roaring inwardly… smiles
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Posted by claudia | January 7, 2014, 5:46 PMRoar, lioness 🙂
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 7:19 PMAh.. there’s so much we can express with hair.. myself decided to blonde it… there is a freedom to be a lion.. No explaintation needed.. plain obvious.. just like my colleagues who have decided to go bald…(not much of a lion imho)..
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Posted by Björn Rudberg (brudberg) | January 7, 2014, 5:48 PMbalding lions … I guess they have experience with fights 🙂 Thanks for the read, Bjorn!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 7, 2014, 7:19 PMI hear the roar, loud and clear ~ Very affirming and uplifting to read ~ I wish you well in your journey to freedom and self expression ~
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Posted by Grace | January 7, 2014, 8:25 PMBlessed love, Grace. Thank you!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 8, 2014, 11:30 AMcheering on freedom, release, new creation!
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Posted by hisfirefly | January 7, 2014, 8:27 PMThank you so much! Bless!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 8, 2014, 11:30 AMThis poem has such a sense of self empowerment, Robert. I heard you ‘roar’ in this poem & look forward to hearing even more from your strong voice of independence!
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Posted by Mary | January 7, 2014, 8:50 PMThank you so much! Check my archives, or my FB page’s notes for more!
http://www.facebook.com/PassonPoet
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 8, 2014, 11:33 AMA fantastic write and rite of passage. Cheers!
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Posted by Delaina Miller | January 7, 2014, 10:10 PMThank you so much!!!!!! Glad you liked it!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 8, 2014, 11:32 AMhair is a great teacher – try new things, and if we don’t like it – change. A bit like life is to be lived. how great that you’ve dared to roar.
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Posted by billgncs | January 8, 2014, 5:08 PMIt’s a REALLY great feeling!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 9, 2014, 11:17 AMAnd long may you roar and find your freedom!
Anna :o]
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Posted by Anna :o] | January 9, 2014, 9:26 AMThank you honey!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 9, 2014, 11:18 AMHair… we put such emphasis on it, don’t we? So, then, make it “speak” for you – help express who you are!
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Posted by margaret | January 9, 2014, 10:48 AMYup! Will do!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 9, 2014, 11:18 AMWell..i hear the roar of the Lion too..and did a similar roar in pictures and all of that in my words 2…
Freedom is the greatest gift ever..and to simply be free as you or me…
Is so wonderful..for that fully alive that can truly be!
So have A roar of NEW year..my friend..and the best 2014 of ever shall surely be your LIFE!
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Posted by katiemiafrederick | January 9, 2014, 10:12 PMThanks sooooooooo much! I feel your passion in your endorsement 😀 “A ROAR of a new year.” I like it!
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Posted by PassionPoet | January 10, 2014, 10:51 AM