Remember What You Love

The night the PINO (President in Name Only) was elected, I danced to Aretha, Sly, Stevie, Bowie and others. Why was I dancing when I was actually in mourning, as were so many others? Because I made a promise that no one was going to steal my joy. I promised that I would spend energy on fighting his regime, but not allow daily rage to take over my life, like it did during his first administration. I’ve largely made good on that promise.

I see the fallout from this and other fascist regime around the world. This takes a profound toll — on ourselves, our communities, and those who are most vulnerable. But I am choosing to allow joy in, even while I mourn. I choose to feel gratitude for the world, even in the face of all this. 

I’m privileged. I know that. I’m not getting rounded up in ICE raids.  But you can bet I will use this privilege to march, to write, and donate to causes that matter and to those in the trenches of sacred activism. I will not waste my good fortune. I will remember what joy feels like, and share that joy with others. Our spirits need to be protected and fed. 

Remember what and whom you love. Feel that feeling no matter how fleeting. It matters. 

“Won’t you celebrate with me?” asks the poet Lucille Clifton.

I will. Because we have to remember what it is we’re fighting for.

won’t you celebrate with me

BY LUCILLE CLIFTON

won't you celebrate with me

what i have shaped into

a kind of life? i had no model.

born in babylon

both nonwhite and woman

what did i see to be except myself?

i made it up

here on this bridge between

starshine and clay,

my one hand holding tight

my other hand; come celebrate

with me that everyday

something has tried to kill me

and has failed.

*****