Day 6: The Birth of America's Adam
poem after “Carryin’ a Figure” by Purvis Young at the Maier Museum of Art1
That body that black stretched tired
sleeping dead dying body pressed down
impossibly is long
those sisters and brothers who hold it aloft though
not all of them heave their hands to the sky some
talk or curse or kiss or lift one another some
lean into each other arms raised in a blessing or a
plea or is it an oath or lament all of
the above is above don’t
drop him or if you do the
shadows who have gone before you say
You will drop yourself.
This is your time and no one else will come until this generation
dies into the next day of peace, or protest.
Breathe! Your rib is taken and your
sisters and your mothers have labored here
long very long you
dark sleeping Adam born out of two continents
whatever the motives you grew through four centuries you will
find your peace you must
keep your life you
wait: why? to stand on your feet. Dare you
unhear that singer child held up to your ear singing sweet
visions or is she whispering shouting Time
to wake up time to begin
us for the first time
again.
Poet’s note: I have this notion that America has not yet begun, that it won’t fully begin, until those who have been oppressed on this land rise in equity. The figures in Purvis Young’s painting are all, like the artist himself, dark-skinned, of African descent, and I read the painting on one level as showing the solidarity of Black American community gathered around a common need.
But I also read the painting through the eyes of my own experience. By the virtueless fact of my skin color, I have been born on the side of power in our country. What if this American experiment, young as it is, has not yet actually launched? What if we’re a half-land, a hobbled, hobbling people, until all are raised to power?
What if - now this is really going to be unpopular - what if people who look like me join the figures in Young’s image holding that Black body aloft and say, “Your turn.” Now that would be a beginning.
Questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you. Email bridgeoflament@gmail.com.
“Carryin’ a Figure” is part of the Maier Museum of Art’s personal collection, but is not always on view. The museum showed it as part of a 2021-22 exhibit entitled “SAINTS AND SIN: SELECTIONS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION BY BLACK ARTISTS.” Whether or not Young’s piece is on display, do consider visiting the museum; it is a wonderful and thoughtfully-curated resource for art and culture in our city.