No.
By Lili Lang
No. No! No?
Anger, Demand, questioning
Flimsy perhaps. Versatile likely.
Only depends on the tone.
No
My first word, the word my toddler tongue screamed to get her way
Didn’t work then either
No
A notion that grew beside me. Gaining limbs and filling out
Now so complex my tongue can no longer support it. So foreign my mouth can no longer pronounce it. Anything above a whisper I butcher. This word a babe could speak, I can only think
So I ask the question, a question my mind can no longer answer
What is no.
What is no!
What is no?
No
an unspeakable phrase, one with unknown consequences.
No
What needed to be said when no one could say it for me.
No
Whether said through tears or screams still means the same.
No
Followed or not, Respected or not, Heard or not, it’s been said.
What is no.
Just two little letters whose only power comes from their speaker
That was the start of a poem I presented last week at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. This was my first poetry reading and I’d say it was a success! It was a small event that showcased some amazing photographs from Moorpark College students, the band Liquid Indigo, and several Poetry Readings.
I presented three poems alongside Anya the Youth Poet Laureate and Sofia a Poetry Ambassador. All of our pieces centered around Identity and finding our voices. It was a really supportive environment offering a space to share our work and let youth artists come together!
Now if you were not able to make it for last week’s reading then be sure to come to the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center on 11/14 at 6:00 pm. They’re hosting this year’s Youth Poet Laureate inauguration! I will be attending and Performing several of my original poems so make sure to stop by the Cultural Arts Center next Tuesday.
