Speaking of @aka Contrarian and longevity. This popped in my inbox this morning. I first met Carolyn at least 20 years ago, she is part of the NYC literati founding a literary magazine and a film festival.
Celebrate Harlem's Newest Centenarian!
Happy 100th Birthday, Mom!
Dear Fam,
Today, join my family and I in honoring my mother's 100th birthday celebration! I'm taking pause over the next few days to rejoice my mom's longevity and contributions to her Harlem community.
We have lost so many loved ones during the past few years that it is necessary to take time to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and special milestones (personal and professional) in our lives. NYC's hustle culture rarely allows you to honor important moments in your life or take time to be present in the moment and relax.
We are human and not machines. As a Libra, I am committed to practicing the art of balance and invite you to take time to reflect and shout out "Happy 100th Birthday" to my special mom.
She inspired me to be courageous during the pandemic and return to the foundation she established when I was five years old. Mom was the first vegetarian I know who started a personal protest in buying food filled with "chemicals" and "Yellow Dye Number 9." Her favorite book was "Back to Eden," which favored holistic living and natural foods.
I attribute my mom's longevity not only to what she put in her body but her mental capacity to put faith, love and compassion above everything.
May mom continue to enjoy more years with us! Enclosed is my short poem dedicated to mom that I wrote years ago!
Wishing you a happy holiday weekend and joy!
peace and blessings,
Carolyn
Executive Director
African Voices
Declaration of Independence
(The Day My Mother Went Insane)
the day she went insane
my mother declared herself
a Sovereign State
She threw away money
Washington, Lincoln & Jackson
went up in flames
she hung a red flag
in the living room,
declared her home a new nation
The day my mother went insane
started 25 years ago
She passed a law against
Red meat,
declared it an illegal contraband
in her home
She tossed
pork chops, steak and
even the leftover
fried chicken
in the trash
Her insanity she says
Is God´s Wisdom
the day my mother went insane
she threw away her pressing comb,
let her hair lock
she screamed about conspiracies
against Black boys and girls,
attending schools that don't teach
and dying at the hands of cops
that kill
the day my mother went insane
American doctors held her hostage,
tried to make her believe Prozac
and talk shows were real
tried to make her believe
that killing babies
was okay
tried to make her believe
their insanity
was reality
the day my mother went insane
I cried, silently
because she was
Free
A nation unto her own.
© January 1999, Carolyn A. Butts