Black Love Lullaby

Summary

KS Hernandez's "Black Love Lullaby" is a poem that encapsulates a commitment to self-love, resilience, and empowerment within the Black community, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a warm and compassionate spirit amidst life's challenges.

Abstract

"Black Love Lullaby" by KS Hernandez is a powerful poetic piece that serves as a personal manifesto of strength and self-preservation. The poem delves into themes of self-authorship, emotional resilience, and the pursuit of a successful life as defined by one's own terms. It advocates for radical self-love, mindfulness, and the nurturing of one's body and spirit as sacred. The author encourages maintaining a kind and compassionate heart while setting boundaries, and to always treat one's body with respect and care. The work is a celebration of Black joy and love, with a call to remember one's inherent worth and to be selective about what one allows into their life.

Opinions

The author emphasizes the importance of not letting others' opinions shape one's self-worth, advocating for personal agency in the creation of one's identity.
There is a strong message about keeping one's heart warm and open to positive experiences and relationships, despite the hardships one may face.
The poem suggests that self-love and self-care, including physical health and mental well-being, are foundational to personal empowerment.
The author encourages kindness towards others but also asserts the importance of setting firm boundaries and not tolerating disrespect.
The poem conveys a sense of gratitude and mindfulness, particularly in terms of consumption, whether it be food, knowledge, or experiences.
KS Hernandez's work is a testament to the belief that every interaction and experience should contribute to personal growth and enrichment.
The author's concept of success is tied to personal fulfillment and the ability to maintain a sense of joy and love in the face of adversity.
The poem concludes with a reminder of one's inherent value, affirming that one is 'Alright' as they are.

A poem: part 1

I’m making this promise to myself — to Never throw in the towel. Never allow someone else’s opinion of me to be my reality to let me forever be the co-author of my creation

Never allow my heart to grow cold — and hard from mistreatment to instead cling to the things and people and moments that feel like the softest light

let my heart be a magic mirror to the world a favorite sweet thing surrounded by blazing inferno to never allow my heart to grow cold

Keep reaching for a successful life whatever that looks like

let my hands be the facilitators of refinement — to be the spark in the consciousness of the slave to radical activism

Be kind to strangers Always show compassion but don’t take no shit

let my clap back be the juicy center of your sweet thing let my brow be knit with iron but never allow my heart to grow hard

Always treat my body as the sacred temple that it is keep it warm and soft as new rain in Summer

drink plenty fresh cool waters moisturize my skin — with good creams

let radical self-love be the balm in my Gilliad the Sojourner in my truth the delight in my coffers

pamper my crown and scalp oil my coils as with the frankincense and myrrh of old

be thankful

to be mindful of my diet of food in plenty and in wanting

to be mindful of how I nourish my mind and spirit to understand that not everything or everyone is for me

let every exchange be victuals to fatten my bones

to remember that I am Alright.

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Poetry + Black Joy

Black Love Lullaby

A poem: part 1

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