At Dignity’s Side
My feet press into
the earth;
the floor pushes
against the
inner and outer
edges
of each sole.
I walk with
Dignity.
I harness the
power
underneath,
anchored and yet
propelled onward
from the roots
deep beneath.
I walk with
Dignity.
The bones
in my legs
are posts
thrust into soil.
Inside,
connective tissue
ascends upward,
striving to reach
the sun’s warmth.
I walk with
Dignity.
A sludge inside
my organs tries
to slow me.
Yet an inescapable
pace launches me
forward.
I walk with
Dignity.
Bone marrow stirs,
quivers; infinite
possibility yearns
to become.
I walk with
Dignity.
I ride the notes
of Her guitar.
I glide upon
Her gentle ayeo.
My ethereal breath
meets her unending
pulse.
I walk with
Dignity.
The edges
of my palms carve
a place for
echoes -
a space to rest,
to claim as my own.
They slice and push
through resistance
as Her lament
pierces the air.
I walk with
Dignity.
An explosion,
a splash;
rhythm convulses.
My heart
resonates beyond
its chamber.
It leaves behind
a thread, a trail.
to follow or join.
I walk with
Dignity.
When I lose my center,
when I take two steps
backward
for every step
forward,
when pain
oversaturates,
when grief
overflows,
I walk with
Dignity.
Tear me down;
Dignity picks me up.
Push me aside;
Dignity takes
my hand and leads.
Tell me I’m less than…
And still,
l make the railings
of the bridge
tremble as I
pass -
Side by side
with Dignity;
I walk
por soleá.
This poem was written as reflection on what I learned from participants in the Soleá project this Spring. A few participants brought up the word dignity as they explored the prompts in Soleá Project workshops. I think that dignity rests at the center of soleá. It is also an exploration of putting into words the intensity of walking por soleá, which is typically part of the entrance of the dance. There is so much going on just to take one step in soleá. Flamenco aficionados will also be able to note the references to popular verses of soleá. ABREPASO performed a version of this poem with movement at Station Hope in 2022.
Christina Patterson performing part of the poem above as part of the piece titled "On the waves of Dignity” at Cleveland Public Theater’s Station Hope.