Remembering Kenneth Patchen, but
written for those war and politics uproot.

I speak
because I can
because I can use my voice
to support your choice to move.

I speak
because I must
because I must be a man
who holds out a hand & smiles.

I speak
because I will
because I will move away from
the voices against you joining us.

I speak 
because I empty
because I empty my being
of a past riddled with subtle racism.

because I fill
because I fill my heart easily
with a protest many sadly turn into a parade.

I speak
because I walk
because I walk on the same planet
now the new home your babies sleep in.

I speak
because I see
because I see through eyes
unfiltered by any blinded minds.

I speak
because I know
because I know there’s nothing naive
about the handshake I long to perform,
I long to perform when the future provides
your seemingly settled trembling grasp.

About the Book (book blurb written by Afua Cooper)

“I Speak” is a poem from the collection, A Matter of Inclusion, by Chad Norman, published by  Mwanaka Media and Publishing.

Appealing to the Good is Us, Chad Norman writes poignantly and lyrically about the human journey, punctuated by border crossings, walls and barb-wire fences, racism and intolerance based on one’s physical looks, religion, gender, language and geographic dis/location. This collection reminds us that not only are we each other’s keeper, but also stewards of the planet. Thus, the care of each other and the planet go hand in hand. These poems are warnings, prophecies, elegies and expressions of a strong belief in the goodness of each one of us. They are also a gentle coaxing into performing right action. This is the only way we will be able to pull ourselves from the brink. Norman offers a blueprint for right action: love, compassion, fortitude and courage. These poems can be read as meditations of hope for our collective future and evolution.

About the Author

Chad Norman lives beside the high tides of the Bay of Fundy in Truro, Nova Scotia. He has given talks and readings in Denmark, Sweden, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, America and across Canada. His poems appear in publications around the world and have been translated into Danish, Albanian,  Romanian, Turkish, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Polish. Norman has 17 books of poems to his credit. He loves to read aloud, getting his poems up off the page. He arranges readings and talks and workshops in all levels of schools. he loves to visit the classrooms. He gathers other poets and musicians together for his annual event, RiverWords: Poetry & Music Festival. He is married. He is a father. He loves to walk and explore the seasons.