Dr. C. DeLores Tucker
Unfinished Works of Art – a Poem and an Ode to Black Women
For Dr. C. DeLores Tucker
In 1995, I wrote a poem, called “Unfinished Works of Art.” I dedicated it to Dr. C. DeLores Tucker. She, along with the Honorable Shirley Chisholm and others, founded the National Congress of Black Women at the urging of Rev. Jesse Jackson. Dr. Tucker used to call me “The Blue Eyed Soul Sister.” I met her when a group of us founded the Prince William County, Virginia chapter. (Of course, I was the only member of the Caucasian persuasion.)
Dr. Tucker was the first African-American female Secretary of State in Pennsylvania and so much more, as you will learn if you click on the link below the next photo. She cared deeply about the education of children and about the political processes which occur in formulating governmental policy. She was a strong, regal, elegant woman, who always wore a turban that matched her many-hued suits. See her beauty here. I miss her. I think I sent her a copy of my poem; but, it all happened some years ago, and I cannot remember.
What inspired me to write this poem, aside from my long history of involvement in civil rights causes, was my looking around at a room full of beautiful Black women, of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Everyone was dressed in the traditional black suit, with a purple, gold, and black Kente cloth across one shoulder. (Kente cloth originated from the Ashanti people in South Ghana. Below are samples.)
By Adam Jones – →This file has been extracted from another file: Kente Kumasi 2010-06-30.jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43284458
Learn more about Dr. Tucker at http://www.philadelphiamlk.org/Pages/CDeLoresTucker.aspx.
Now, here is my poem describing the elegant, intelligent, socially aware and active Black women with whom I kept company that day and for a long time thereafter. That is one group of women whose company I love. They are conversant about almost every topic of importance, they are actively loving, and they are supportive of educational and social service to the whole community. I am so blessed to have spent time with them.
Enjoy!
The Poem
(c) 1995 Nancy (Ayanna) Wyatt All Rights Reserved
Dedicated to Dr. C. DeLores Tucker For Showing Us The Way
UNFINISHED WORKS OF ART
They say that Martin had a dream
But, he is not the Only One
Who awakened from a sound sleep
In the midnight hour of
America’s Apartheid
Creator God, Behold Your Daughters!
A multi-hued array
of African-American art.
Each one
Wearing the stamp of individuality
In feature, as well as in mind,
Rather than coming from some classic,
Uninterrupted mold
Which can be had at Tiffany’s
Or Woolworth’s.
The same hip
That balances a baby
With an old wood stirrin’ spoon
Can balance
A briefcase and a laptop computer.
The same lips
That shout, “Come here, boy!”
Can form the words,
“Mr. President, I object.
Here is what we’re going to do.”
People, don’tcha’ know
That – to this very day –
Whenever a manchild is born
The Old folks’ intently piercing eyes
Ask the question once again,
“Are You The One?”
But, I ask each of you
Women sprung from the womb
of Mother Africa
Molded by the Master Hand of God Who Loves You
Beautiful Works of Art ………. In Progress
I ask YOU
Are You The One?
Note: the new President and CEO of the National Congress of Black Women is Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esquire.
I hope you enjoyed my poem and that you also will look at scripts I’ve written to describe the life and times, beauty and courage of people with whom I worked who were homeless, drug-addicted, HIV+ and who overcame many challenges with their courageous spirits. Those scripts now are in a playbook, called “3 Hots and a Cot.”
In addition, I created a play, called “Break The Chain.” It is about domestic violence. It has helped people see in themselves patterns of negativity and recognize they can make the change.
Do It The Write Way! Let My Fingers Do Your Talking!