Spokane
Spoken
Eyes wide open to infinite possibilities
Constantly fueling dreams
With endless amounts of scenes
Spending time with family climbing up trees
Or at Riverfront park
Kids running around downtown playing in a jungle of concrete
Hikes at Bowl and Pitcher
To embrace the bigger picture
When looking into the Spokane river
The experience is as when looking in the mirror
Sometimes I feel as though
I’m a fish swimming against the current
Fighting oppression, discrimination, and preconceived judgements
Rest in peace to my mentor Sandy Williams
She was my role model
Someone I truly believed in
Someone that when she spoke I always listened
She helped to ready me for that storm
She made me understand I will not always be met with support
But to stand for what I believe in and just do the work don’t worry about recognition
Stay strong in my convictions
Especially when faced with doubt and opposition
I was told by some that Spokane is not a good place to start a poetry movement
That Spokane is not a good place for children of color to be raised
That’s Spokane is full of racism, ignorance, and hate
But for me I don’t feel the same way
I love Spokane that’s why I came back
And am here to stay
For me Spokane has become a solution
See I now make the conscious choice to see problems as opportunities
I choose to tap in
Into the potential of Spokane
Many think Spo-can’t
But I know Spo-can
There is so much opportunity in this community
And we all have the chance to be major influences
Yes, we will be met with challenges
Which will never stop our progression
I am here to instill liberation, love
and lyte
I am here to express, expose, and ignite
We are all the hero’s of this story
We are responsible for saving this city
Our city
Our families
Our community
It is our job to help children
Let them know that there is no place like home
To show them Spokane is different
That in Spokane you can still be respected
Even if you have a difference of opinion
That in Spokane you won’t be discriminated against because of the color of you skin
That in Spokane it is ok to be openly gay or lesbian
People don’t worry about pedigree
And instead focus on equality
That in Spokane I can unapologetically be me
That in Spokane WE all
can be who we want to be
That in Spokane I could start a family
But you see this Spokane is not yet fully a real thing
This Spokane is still partially a dream
Just like our Zags winning the whole thing
And finally bringing an NCAA basketball championship to the city
Because GO EAGS
Shoutout to the 2010 football team
But I do believe that this dream for everyone every Adult and child in Spokane will come true
So if you truly support what I say
Then you too must realize YOU
Are the key to Spokane’s breakthrough
We all deserve to live our best lives
And freely live out our truths
To be safe and thrive especially
our youth
We must continue our mission
to end abuse
Spokane it’s time for change
We don’t have much to lose
But so much more to prove
The change starts with you
So please Spokane
BE THE BREAKTHROUGH
Power 2 The Poetry thank you