Boom Clap

The Ides Have It: A 2020 Spoken Word Series (Poem #11 of 12)

so listen up to this kid — it’s the boom clap
all you brothas be asking me how we do that
now i’m constructing progressions to make you move that
i’m coming through that, come and try to prove that i’m too Black
and who’s that bangin’ onto my boom clap
dispensing knowledge, no dollars make me pursue that
my lyrics sing to the heavens, y’all noddin’ true dat
bring it from the new jack to blues that construe what artists knew

that the mack is the Black who brought the boom clap
calling out and responding when shackles smacked and snapped
they can bind my body but rhythms live free
as they evolved and survived like Blacks in slavery
the drum talks in dialogue with my inner soul
bare feet tramping dirt when I’m on a rhythmic roll
i close my eyes and the visions of mother Africa
consume my fears and endear me to the slap and ska
with reggae rockers and down South Negro spirituals
i know that i’m free at last so let my music go
when i’m liberated by rich vocal harmonies
my heart will find a new home among savannah greens
so come safari with me to lead my people back
and embrace the pure roots of music when it’s Black
’cause it’s the principal vein other musicians tap
when they set off on a quest to use the boom clap

so listen up to this kid — it’s the boom clap
all you brothas be asking me how we do that
now i’m…

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