Mesotic for Kiilu
freedom taKen by storm
she Is graceful panther
determIned to struggle
revoLution the air she breathed
Love her most Useful tool
Kiilu was so much, so large, so vital, my words evade me. I cannot begin to describe my respect and love for this woman. Our friendship spanned decades. Our family was interwoven through four generations. When I met her, she was already wheelchair bound although not yet sporting her silver crown. We wheeled through Washington Park, laughed at Babatunde’s wonderful parties, and danced too! We marched together and planned benefits, for Haiti, for Mumia. We celebrated together and mourned, agreed and disagreed on political strategies our debates full of energy and love. In time I will craft the poem she deserves and find some of our photos. For now, this woman who was beautiful all the way through and who showed so many of us that the only limitations we have are the ones we make for ourselves is such a loss. But through the tears hold onto the fact that she is testament to a live well lived, a life of purpose, a life committed to creating a more just society, a better world. Presente, Kiilu! You will be missed. You will not be forgotten.
Please take the time to read the interview she recently graced me with and also do visit her blog and her Facebook page to see more of her art, her writings, and photos add comments that show more of who she was and is to so, so many.