A black queer experience
Meaning. Part 1: Strong
Meaning. Part 1: Strong

Meaning. Part 1: Strong

‘We are strong and enduring. We are also deeply scarred’ – Audre Lorde

 

Strong

Adjective

 

  1. having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
  2. able to withstand force, pressure, or wear.

 

My skin knows of having;

Or not having.

My stains know of power;

Or the lack thereof.

My soul knows of heavy.

Even its lightness;

Still heavy.

This is where it gets a little tricky.

Audre, I hear you but this definition says ‘heavy weights’

Does this mean that strong has to be seen;

To be considered strength?

Can waiting be a weight?

Like waiting for someone to love you.

Like waiting for a bus at a train station.

These are the same things. We know that right.

The weight of waiting can be very heavy.

So I’ll ask again.

Can waiting be a weight?

But I digress.

 

having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.

 

My purpose knows not to perform

But to be powerful.

My power is far from physical

But it is in every person that is me.

My depression can be rather demanding

But my strength lies in its deepness.

Being tough is a task.

Being tired is also a task.

There is strength in both of these tasks.

 

Audre, you were right;

We are strong.

My skin, my stains, my soul, my waiting, my purpose, my power, my depression, my tough, my tired.

All of me.

All of we;

Are strong.

 

But if you’d let me; I’d like to change this definition.

This definition is what strong means to me:

 

Strong

Adjective

 

  1. having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding
  2. able to withstand force, pressure, or wear.

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