Poetry by Teré Fowler-Chapman

Truth levitated like smoke

Thoughts came from the depth of our bellies

Rose and set like a fresh breath in

 

Out of all the names left hanging on trees

Burned on crosses

Torn at the mercy of animals teeth

 

Out of all the names gunned down in the name of God

Raped out of existence

Lashings breaking them into death brutally

 

Out of all the names who couldn’t take no more

Out of all the names that is kind that is smart…

All the names that killed themselves kindly

 

Out of all the names put to silence in false accusations

Wrongfully executed

 

Out of all the names gutted out of the belly of the brave like fish

Cut at the feet and hands are the names that dared to run

Cut out of the womb of the hanging are the names dare to be born again

 

Out of all the names entertained at picnics

All the people whose stomach spoiled in the privilege of their silence

Didn’t quite know what to say to stop the bleeding

But say they don’t see the difference of the shades of skin today

 

Out of all the names who have been led to their deaths with that last line.

 

At the mercy of pure luck and desire to believe in tomorrow

The mercy I was taught to have on a God that turns devil quietly

After the brutal beating of my own name, being strung around the South in pieces

Cherishing rumors as rich history

Generational telephone games as legacy

 

They call Fowler-Chapman in a crowded room

Carrying on the innocence of a serial killer’s last name as my own

I answer

 

I am here

 

I survived.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her name is not the type of name you repeat twice

Butcher its identity

Question its existence

And then ask to hear it again.

 

 

Teré Fowler-Chapman is an artist whose medium is black ink. Her creative works possess fluidity that allows her work to bend into multiple genres. She has empowered her audiences nationwide by sharing her truths through spoken word.

 

 

 

Teré Fowler-Chapman currently resides in Tucson, where she hosts a community open poetry reading called “Words on the Avenue” at Café Passé.  An open reading designed to provide a platform and safe space for the Tucson community to share their bravery through poetry. Check out her website: sliverofpearl.com.

 

 

Author photograph by Liora K. Photography. liorakphotpgraphy.com