Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Pledge words of devotion that spring from an emotion best described as a love that has nothing to do with her
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
I walked down a path that looked so clear
The clouds they smiled, the trees they cheered
The air a hint of spice and cream
But as I walked did my eyes dream?
This place of bliss?
Men’s cheeks I kissed
My tongue did speak
Prophetic verse
“A Salaam A Salaam”
The strange Men said
But I’m confused Light, Dark, Pure Bred?
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Bring this passion for THE ONE, to this one, that is your one
You’ll gain a son!
Why do you run?
No not from me
But to that place
Where white sheets breathe
Where demons play
Where chains and whips evoke cruel days
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
My path became rope wrenched tight by a grip
Of forced realization don’t make me slip
From the edge of a truth that was always my hope
Let my heart be your judge
Let my soul be your sway
Let the words of that book be my advocate today
I pray, I give, 30 days food I touched not
If this world be a castle then I’ll sleep on a cot
My love for the one is the measure of my worth
Not this matter of where he chose be my birth
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Break bread with collard greens, roti and naan
Comfortable in my identity not some Desi dapper don
I’ll clean and I’ll cook and the rent will be paid
I’ll teach her about a people that gave birth to Malcolm AND Imam Zaid
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
My hair ain’t straight it’s happy to be nappy
And it’s cool to be Dad, Abu or Como Estas Papi
My skin will not pass your paper bag test
But a drum that beats steady resides in my chest
Infused with the blood of Martyrs and Saints
From Hamza to Harriett swords that used paint
To create God’s landscape of shades and tints
Why does forty nine dot one three make your narrow eyes squint?
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Lead salat in jamaat pray 2 extra rakats
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Kiss tears of frustration from gender subjugation
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Have our arms grow weary and our eyes get teary
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
‘cause we be lovers of God not the tone of Man’s flesh
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
If the Prophet was Bilal would you reject your deen?
Deny your Rabb and still say your so fresh and so clean?
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
The color of skin? Or the heart that’s within?
Speak without spin and I’ll ask you again
Can I Marry Your Daughter?
Assalaamu Alaykum
Reading your poem was… sad. But at the same time I wonder: Why do people make such a big deal out of this? What is this obsession with skin colour? How does someone know when they are turned down for marriage that it isn’t because their character, they’re not attractive, aren’t successful enough, or are simply from a different culture? There are so many diverse people in the world. If someone is turned down by one, then they can find another. And those who can’t should look to the faults within themselves, rather than blaming others for their shortcomings.
I’m grateful we don’t have these problems in the West African Muslim community, and I pray we never do.
Bro. Dash,
This was a very profound poem! I am very pleased with its concept and metaphoric language. I am interested in knowing how you actually constructed this poem. Often times when I write a peice, It’s a challenge to keep a structure. What advice would you offer me pertaining to writing?
Just write from a place of sincere truth. Don’t manufacture emotion just let it come naturally. Write about what you know and what you have experience with.
As for how I constructed the poem it just sort of came naturally. My spoken word comes to me rhythmically so that’s why it has that particular flow. As far as the subject matter it came from some things I noticed in the Muslim community. Some issues that a couple of my friends faced as well.
@Brother Dash & readers,
As’salam ‘alaykum,
I found this poem intrinsically fit with ‘my’ quirky comic sketch. [http://www.zaufishan.co.uk/2010/02/4913-comic11.html]
PS – anyway I can get/buy a Spoken Soul wildflower card ‘album’ directly from the BrotherDash team, or even a sample of the concept itself via image link, photo? Online stores selling the SS album do not ship it to the UK. Lemme know insha’Allah. ★
I’ll make sure you get the flower card the next time I’m in the UK.
Just speaking from truth I suppose. All of my poetry comes from a place of authenticity i.e. I don’t write about things I have no idea of, true knowledge of or experience with. This particular poem wasn’t so much a personal thing (I wasn’t recounting any personal experience) but it’s from stories many Black Muslim Men have experienced. But it isn’t relegated to Black Muslims as you eruditely pointed out in your comments. And that’s the beauty of poetry. The inspiration can be something specific but once a poem is relayed (read, or listened to by the audience for that poem) it then becomes YOURS. Your experiences, knowledge, circumstances go into how you interpret the poem and then it becomes YOUR truth….YOUR poem (well…the copyright is still mine hee hee) Thanks for your enlightening contributions.
Wow. Holy cheeses when did you write this? …July?! This is the literal meaning of superbness.
The line >”If the Prophet was Bilal would you reject your deen?” is the one to use at people with a smile. Imagine the blank faces in response. I never thought of it like that, if Jesus was ‘coloured’ (which he was, I hate that word), if Adam & Eve were ‘black’ (which they were) wouldn’t we all double take in our own racially divided mind? I think even my brain has nuances of racialism. =( You look at a white person, a black person, a brown person and instantly think ‘different… not like me…’
This poem relates to the Asian community too, in fact all cultures. Asking again & again for a straight answer when all you get is a lecture filled with religiosity. Hypocrisy.
Dude, when did you get so clever? lol Masha’Allah.
http://www.muslimness.com
Awesome piece, and it rings true in so many ways.
Isobel,
No I do not have any specific resources to recommend on this topic.
Could you recommend any specific resources, books, or other blogs on this topic?