Queen of Mothers
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Power poet Tannur “Shewrightz” Ali is a renaissance woman: inquisitive, thoughtful and informed in social affairs, building arts and the sciences. She sees and expresses with the eyes and voice of a poet and approaches her work with the grit of a pioneer. Passionate about community and the importance of Black land ownership, Tannur conducts Homestead Incubation Trainings that prepare city-bred folks for building, living and growing on the land.
Founder of iLOGIC Sustainable Industries at Solomon’s Garden, she produces naturally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, raises chickens, runs a campground and enjoys the company of her dog and cat dynasties. She first contributed to KIZA BlackLit in our inaugural issue, January 2024. At the time, she did not yet have the horse of her equestrian dreams. Now she does, and has built a sturdy stable for the mare.
Tannur “Shewrightz” Ali writes because poetry flows through her veins and energizes her life. She wrote the following poem for her mother, KIZA editor Njemile Ali, and presented it as a poster on Mother’s Day in 2016. The enduring message of love and appreciation is a gift to be shared.
Queen of Mothers
BY TANNUR SHEWRIGHTZ ALI
Copyright 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Njemile’s daughter so loves her
Knows what it means to be
The daughter of a goddess
To fall down on heaven’s chest
Dream and think and
Be so blessed
So connected with the presence
Of equal powers, greater cause we’re Conscious
Loving, Temperate and Honest
I am she –
Daughter of the Queen of mothers
Blessed by her permission
To re-think my intentions
Deeply see my mission
Even if it’s so deep –
It’s reading tea leaves and smoking pipe dreams
She’s clean – so I know
All comes out in the wash
I have a few “My Mama Saids” but I’ll tell you what my Mama did
She loved me fully
As I was and is
Loves me now for who I will be
And journeys with me
She doesn’t do things simply
She’s visionary – so her actions are extraordinary
“I’ll just grab a few degrees, impart my wisdom by degrees.
Uptick your confidence and commit.”
She’s legit a genius, so all my life I’ve been learning by osmosis
And I attest – it’s possible to conjure the improbable
To gather with the source and Go IN on life and discourse
At 11 I told her I heard a voice
She said, “Me too, Tannur – It’s yours.”
So schizophrenia became a mystic cinema
And she encouraged my poetry
Saying, “Come with me to October Gallery.”
And this was palpably the best thing she could have done for me
Then she said, “Share.”
And when we left there
It was clear – her daughter was a poet
Not a psychotic accident
She challenged me to right what’s wrong
Say what’s right and see what’s wrong
That’s how I came to sing this song
Njemile’s daughter so loves her
Knows what it means to be the daughter of a Goddess
Be with the presence
Learn through osmosis
And be at peace with complex imagination
Turned polar reality
I can tell you things I’ve seen
Angry Anglo screaming at her
And her reaction: “Come and get it!”
And she has always come with it
This deep knowing of her power
A sense of what’s being called for in this hour
What’s necessary and how her incarnation serves
How her life swerves toward flow
And I know that these 30 years have mirrored poverty
But only out of willingness to see how
All the possibilities can be arranged for highest good
When I was 13 I said, “Mom, I’m ready! Gonna lose my virginity.”
She said, “Really!?” And I said, “Yes.” She said, “I bet.”
Then she listened intently and calmly said,
“It won’t get lost – just exchanged.
But you’ll maintain connection.
So honor what you carry until it isn’t a reflection of
What you need on your journey.”
So I debated and I waited
That’s my mother in a nutshell
I have always been empowered
Though at times I’ve cowered from responsibility
She’d say, “Look Tannur.”
And be holding up mirrors to me saying don’t be afraid
You’ll be okay
This is what it takes to get to know the God Self
Be patient with yourself
Njemile’s daughter so loves her
Knows what it means to be the daughter of a goddess
Be with the presence
Learn through osmosis
And be at peace with my own presence
Njemile’s daughter so loves her
I am she
Daughter of the Queen of mothers
At 16 I went to Greece, joined the Marines
And by 17 was pregnant
Didn’t get sent to Parris Island
But she gave me basic training saying,
“Figure how you’ll raise her.
Set a goal with no container.
Remember life is what you make it
And this baby is no accident.
Embrace her.”
And every time I lost myself
She’d remind me of my wealth
Of intellect and purpose
“The path ain’t easy, Tannur.
You know this
But if you live it like you Werk it
It will be perfect.”
So imperfections need
No corrections need
No corrections cause
My exceptions to rules
Make paradigm shifts
That’s how the rhyme shifts
You get with the frequency and
Amplify the resonance
That’s how you get a life like this
At 30 I was deep in worry
Thinking I could never be loved righteously by a suitor
She said,
“Give that one the boot if you see fit.
But step forth with confidence that
You are IT
And commence
To live on your terms.”
Her love confirms
Njemile’s daughter so loves her
Knows what it means to be the daughter of a Goddess
Be with the presence
Learn through osmosis
And be at peace with my own presence
I am she
Daughter of the Queen of Mothers
I so love her.