Andrew Talone (17)
Ìró and Bùbá
I watched a white woman paint over a mural
That depicted a Yoruba woman,
Wrapped in Ìró and Bùbá.
Araoluwa, who vested
in the colors of the world,
breaks her chains once and for all.
The white woman
works over her in muted shades
Creating a pallid Earth,
Surrounded by ambiguous hands enlaced,
For the artist does not see race.
I stare into Araoluwa’s eyes so vulnerable,
Her eyes so ravaged,
Her eyes so loved
As they are dressed in a canvas
Of white.
I stood complacent
Afraid to speak
To tell her oppressor what the fuck was up.
I look into the last of Araoluwa’s eyes
And my voice begins to rise.
Andrew Talone is a first-year university student who takes inspiration from postmodern philosophy, world events, and people they encounter. When not writing, they can be found finding some way to become politically involved, reading, or running. They speak four languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Italian). This is their first time sharing their work with the public.
Ìró and Bùbá
I watched a white woman paint over a mural
That depicted a Yoruba woman,
Wrapped in Ìró and Bùbá.
Araoluwa, who vested
in the colors of the world,
breaks her chains once and for all.
The white woman
works over her in muted shades
Creating a pallid Earth,
Surrounded by ambiguous hands enlaced,
For the artist does not see race.
I stare into Araoluwa’s eyes so vulnerable,
Her eyes so ravaged,
Her eyes so loved
As they are dressed in a canvas
Of white.
I stood complacent
Afraid to speak
To tell her oppressor what the fuck was up.
I look into the last of Araoluwa’s eyes
And my voice begins to rise.
Andrew Talone is a first-year university student who takes inspiration from postmodern philosophy, world events, and people they encounter. When not writing, they can be found finding some way to become politically involved, reading, or running. They speak four languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Italian). This is their first time sharing their work with the public.