Poem-a-Day - "Rememory" by Roya Marsh

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
July 15, 2021 

Rememory


Roya Marsh

       is the sound of me thinking
in a language stolen from my
ancestors. I can’t tell you who the
first slave in my family was, but we
are the last. Descendants
of the sun. Rye skinned
and vibrant, wailing to
a sailing tomb. We twist
creoled tongues. Make English
a song worth singing. You erase
our history and call it freedom.
Take our flesh and call it fashion.
Swallow nations and call it
humanity. We so savage
we let you live. 
       I can’t tell you who the first slave
in my family was, but we remember
the bodies.   Our bodies remember.
We are their favorite melody. Beat
into bucket. Broken
into cardboard covered
concrete. Shaken
into Harlem. The getting over
never begins, but there
is always the get down. Our DNA
sheet music humming
at the bottom
of the ocean.

Copyright © 2021 by Roya Marsh. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on July 15, 2021, by the Academy of American Poets.

Subscribe to the Poem-a-Day Podcast 

  

“This poem is written to my ancestors who continue to sustain me. To hip hop. To those whom knowledge was made inaccessible yet survived knowing they can’t steal us from ourselves.”
—Roya Marsh

Roya Marsh, poet, performer, educator and activist, is the author of dayliGht (MCD × FSG Originals, 2020), finalist for the 2021 Lambda Award for Lesbian Poetry. A Bronx native, she is the co-founder of the Bronx Poet Laureate position and the awardee of the 2021 Lotus Foundation Prize for Poetry.

dayliGht
(MCD x FSG Originals, 2020)

“American Sonnet (10)” by Wanda Coleman
read more
“The History of Silence” by Emmy Pérez
read more

Thanks to R. Erica Doyle, author of proxy (Belladonna Books, 2013), who curated Poem-a-Day for this month’s weekdays. Watch a Q&A about Doyle’s curatorial approach and find out more about our guest editors for the year
This free, daily series is made possible by our readers. If you’re able, please consider donating to support this work. 
Become a monthly sustainer
join
Make a one-time gift
donate
From Our Sponsors
Copyright © 2021 The Academy of American Poets, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
The Academy of American Poets
75 Maiden Lane
St #901
New York, NY 10038

Add us to your address book


View this email in your browser

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Older messages

Poems on Wandering, Hudson Valley Writers Center Reading, and more

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Support Poets.org July 13, 2021 Poems on Wandering Mid-summer inspires time spent wandering outdoors. Wonder and wander with these poems from Poets.org: “Wonder” by Mei-mei Berssenbrugge “Marshlands”

Summer Camp: Poems and Activities About Animals

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Themed poems, lesson plans, glossary terms, and more Facebook Twitter Instagram July 13, 2021 “You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” —Mary Oliver Animals offer poets a

from "The Laceration" by Dawn Lundy Martin

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

As if the tender body is. As if the will is tender. Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day July 13, 2021 from “The Laceration” Dawn Lundy Martin As if the tender body is. As if the will is

"preface to a traffic stop: sound" by Randall Horton

Monday, July 12, 2021

i always thought sound was meant to indicate a kinda genuine, authentic Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day July 12, 2021 preface to a traffic stop: sound Randall Horton i always thought

"Wind Rising in the Alleys" by Lola Ridge

Sunday, July 11, 2021

Facebook Twitter Instagram Support Poem-a-Day July 11, 2021 Wind Rising in the Alleys Lola Ridge Wind rising in the alleys My spirit lifts in you like a banner Streaming free of hot walls. You are full

You Might Also Like

*This* Is How To Wear Skinny Jeans Like A Fashion Girl In 2025

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

The revival is here. The Zoe Report Daily The Zoe Report 3.11.2025 This Is How To Wear Skinny Jeans Like A Fashion Girl In 2025 (Style) This Is How To Wear Skinny Jeans Like A Fashion Girl In 2025 The

The Best Thing: March 11, 2025

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The Best Thing is our weekly discussion thread where we share the one thing that we read, listened to, watched, did, or otherwise enjoyed recent… ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

The Most Groundbreaking Beauty Products Of 2025 Are...

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Brands are prioritizing innovation more than ever. The Zoe Report Beauty The Zoe Report 3.11.2025 (Beauty) The 2025 TZR Beauty Groundbreakers Awards (Your New Holy Grail Or Two) The 2025 TZR Beauty

Change Up #Legday With One of These Squat Variations

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

View in Browser Men's Health SHOP MVP EXCLUSIVES SUBSCRIBE Change Up #Legday With One of These Squat Variations Change Up #Legday With One of These Squat Variations The lower body staple is one of

Kylie Jenner Wore The Spiciest Plunging Crop Top While Kissing Timothée Chalamet

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Plus, Amanda Seyfried opens up about her busy year, your daily horoscope, and more. Mar. 11, 2025 Bustle Daily Amanda Seyfried at the Tory Burch Fall RTW 2025 fashion show as part of New York Fashion

Paris Fashion Week Is Getting Interesting Again

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Today in style, self, culture, and power. The Cut March 11, 2025 PARIS FASHION WEEK Fashion Is Getting Interesting Again Designs at Paris Fashion Week once again reflect the times with new aesthetics,

Your dinner table deserves to be lazier

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

NY delis are serving 'Bird Flu Bailout' sandwiches. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sophie Thatcher Lets In The Light

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Plus: Chet Hanks reaches new heights on Netflix's 'Running Point.' • Mar. 11, 2025 Up Next Your complete guide to industry-shaping entertainment news, exclusive interviews with A-list

Mastering Circumstance

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

“If a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them.” ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Don't Fall for This Parking Fee Scam Text 🚨

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

How I Use the 'One in, One Out' Method for My Finances. You're not facing any fines. Not displaying correctly? View this newsletter online. TODAY'S FEATURED STORY Don't Fall for the