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<channel><title><![CDATA[Haydee R. Souffrant - Musings: A Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[Musings: A Blog]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:15:03 -0600</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[the things i fear]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/the-things-i-fear]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/the-things-i-fear#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:10:33 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/the-things-i-fear</guid><description><![CDATA[when the night comesthe fears come on.the breathless heap of things asked of methe fear, once mirror, now a siren.i fear the courage that had wrapped mein the boldness of myself.i fear the longing i deny for the thingsthat close in.i fear the wakefulness of the dreamsi cannot burythat instead claw themselves to theeyes blinked open.i fear the joy that comeswhen my skin darkens in the sun"don't get too black, for they won't love you"the terror that comes.i fear the rapturethat takes over, when my [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph">when the night comes<br />the fears come on.<br />the breathless heap of things asked of me<br />the fear, once mirror, now a siren.<br /><br />i fear the courage that had wrapped me<br />in the boldness of myself.<br />i fear the longing i deny for the things<br />that close in.<br /><br />i fear the wakefulness of the dreams<br />i cannot bury<br />that instead claw themselves to the<br />eyes blinked open.<br /><br />i fear the joy that comes<br />when my skin darkens in the sun<br />"don't get too black, for they won't love you"<br />the terror that comes.<br /><br />i fear the rapture<br />that takes over, when my hands hold<br />myself,<br />deeply.<br />wholly.<br />holy.<br /><br />i fear the fear<br />has no home in this body<br />and the fear<br />has feared me back.<br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Aint No/Shade/On Dis Side]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/aint-noshadeon-dis-side]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/aint-noshadeon-dis-side#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 17 May 2017 17:13:15 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/aint-noshadeon-dis-side</guid><description><![CDATA[Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/They came alone. They came togetherin pairsin clustersbuzz&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; buzz &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;buzztap tap tap tap tapI'm with you but they're somewhere else.Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ o [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ain't no/ shade/ on dis</span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp;side/ of the water/</span><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">They came alone. </span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">They came together</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">in pairs</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">in clusters</span></span><br /><em><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">buzz</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; buzz <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;buzz</span></span></em><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">tap tap tap tap tap</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">I'm with you but they're somewhere else.</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ain't no/ shade/ on dis</span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp;side/ of the water/</span><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">This sun makes it hard to see my little life</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">He couldn't survive the night</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Rolling down the hill</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">precarious steps</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">I want to lead</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">I don't know you</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;why are you so far behind</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Ain't no/ shade/ on dis&nbsp;side/ of the water/</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ain't no/ shade/ on dis</span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp;side/ of the water/</span><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"></span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Is this the side that looks the best</span></span><br /><strong><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"><em>one two three four five six</em></span></span></strong><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">the birds brought some dance to the scene. </span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">I picture you picturing the water</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Hoping that this place looks just as different</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; As everywhere else. </span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">No silence but the blue. </span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">No silence but the heat. </span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Cause ain't no shade on this side of the water</span></span><br /><span><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ain't no shade on this side of the water...</span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why We Dance (For the Brown Kids, Weird Kids, Lost Ones, and the Ones In/Between)]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/why-we-dance-for-the-brown-kids-weird-kids-lost-ones-and-the-ones-inbetween]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/why-we-dance-for-the-brown-kids-weird-kids-lost-ones-and-the-ones-inbetween#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 26 Feb 2017 05:24:08 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/why-we-dance-for-the-brown-kids-weird-kids-lost-ones-and-the-ones-inbetween</guid><description><![CDATA[We dance to shake dem woesthat be terrorizing we sleep.&nbsp;Lord dem woes become louder than&nbsp;da blood beat of our people.We dance cause we scared.&nbsp;Scared that the boogie white knightgon come get us in da dark.&nbsp;Even though we see them,&nbsp;and they know it.&nbsp;We dance cause we mourn.&nbsp;Our kinfolx dead or lost.But we gotta shake off we tearsbefore they see.&nbsp;We dance cause we still alive-ever searching for one more thing toour belief to.&nbsp;We dance to live for yet an [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph">We dance to shake dem woes<br />that be terrorizing we sleep.&nbsp;<br />Lord dem woes become louder than&nbsp;<br />da blood beat of our people.<br /><br />We dance cause we scared.&nbsp;<br />Scared that the boogie white knight<br />gon come get us in da dark.&nbsp;<br />Even though we see them,&nbsp;<br />and they know it.&nbsp;<br /><br />We dance cause we mourn.&nbsp;<br />Our kinfolx dead or lost.<br />But we gotta shake off we tears<br />before they see.&nbsp;<br /><br />We dance cause we still alive-<br />ever searching for one more thing to<br />our belief to.&nbsp;<br /><br />We dance to live for yet another moment<br />&#8203;while we still can.&nbsp;<br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[They'll Always Come.]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/theyll-always-come]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/theyll-always-come#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jan 2017 19:30:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/theyll-always-come</guid><description><![CDATA[A response piece to our Muslim families currently banned and torn from us.  --One by onethey throw the bodies in.Never looking over the ironclad money built towersto see the faces.An old auntie once told me that if they come for them,they'll come for uscause they always come.When they fear the tides of change- that KKKKKRAACK! from Oya's whip-they'll come.Where they fear the magic of the she-whether gifted or crafted,earth made or self made,they'll come.When they hear the roars of the mother lan [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph">A response piece to our Muslim families currently banned and torn from us.<br /></div>  <div class="paragraph">--One by one<br />they throw the bodies in.<br />Never looking over the ironclad money built towers<br />to see the faces.<br />An old auntie once told me that if they come for them,<br />they'll come for us<br />cause they always come.<br />When they fear the tides of change-<br /> that <em>KKKKKRAACK!</em> from Oya's whip-<br />they'll come.<br />Where they fear the magic of the <em>she-</em><br />whether gifted or crafted,<br />earth made or self made,<br />they'll come.<br />When they hear the roars of the mother languages of homelands they'll never know,<br />they'll come.<br />When they see who carries the people-<br />the tired, the lost, the dark, the foreign, the dwellers inbetween,<br />they'll come.<br />When they wonder how to steal our essence and kill our life to sell,<br />they'll come.<br />When they see the cloaks of those who sing love songs to God(e)<br />with "<em>Inshallah"</em><br />best believe they'll come.<br />And when they do,<br />it will be under the guise of salvation.<br />The mask of greatness.<br />The cancer of whiteness on high alert of the fear of no longer<br />knowing what home looks like<br />cause they done forgot to praise their ancestors the first time around<br />so they make sure to kill ours.<br />They'll come when their frightened.<br />But they'll come for them first.<br />They'll come for your brother miles away.<br />Then they'll come for your school teacher.<br />Then they'll come for your neighbor.<br />But by then, after the bodies are thrown in<br />You know you will be next.<br />And then you'll wonder how you ever forgot that they'll always come.</div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Envious Roots]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/envious-roots]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/envious-roots#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 27 Jan 2017 20:39:51 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.hrsouffrant.com/musings-a-blog/envious-roots</guid><description><![CDATA[It's taken me 27 years to truly understand what envy really means.But lemme tell you I still haven't gotten to the bottom of it but I know where it starts.It is a weed. One that you have to time, after time, after time learn to pull out of your earthen body. Where you, down on your knees, have to pray to God and ask that she forgive you and risk telling the Holy Father all that is wrong within you so that you no longer carry it alone. Why you can&rsquo;t love as you thought you should. Why you a [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">It's taken me 27 years to truly understand what envy really means.<br />But lemme tell you I still haven't gotten to the bottom of it but I know where it starts.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">It is a weed. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">One that you have to time, after time, after time learn to pull out of your earthen body. Where you, down on your knees, have to pray to God and ask that she forgive you and risk telling the Holy Father all that is wrong within you so that you no longer carry it alone. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Why you can&rsquo;t love as you thought you should. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Why you aren&rsquo;t in center of the fold. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Why you aren&rsquo;t </span><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">the</span><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400"> center of the fold.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Why you aren&rsquo;t their dying breath. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Why they don&rsquo;t ache from the lost memories of you. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Envy</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Is that deep longing</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">For what you already have, thinking that it looks better in someone else&rsquo;s house. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Envy is the fog that keeps you from seeing the beauty in the chaos, the swirls of God mixing her spoon in she pot. Letting it simmer.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">And you instead grew hungry from the gnawing sensation that you just gotta have it. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Now. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Yesterday. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Ages ago.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Envy is the rushing of what looks like gold</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">but turned out to really be dust. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">A film over the dreams you tossed to snatch someone else&rsquo;s. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">Envy takes a long time to clean out of your house,</span><br /><span style="color:#000000; font-weight:400">but is so easy to let it settle in. </span><br /><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>