Savannah The Great
by InnaRae
in quiet storms stretched throughout the third quarter each day
streaks of lightning birth themselves into dusk
almost sundown around town
eventide skies
gone after an 8th of a second
we see you
perfectly zigzagged lines shooting up from the earth
curving right for miles – then off to the left toward infinity
And it tells me everything about how you landed, lived, loved, and left
Great Mother Savannah
seems your timing is always just before liquid sunshine showers fall
unfathomable depths of water
inexhaustible rhythms in our wombs
unending orgasmic tears release themselves from gramma’s eyes when you landed
entering this realm
purposed to tango before its time
young and barefoot on dry and thirsty clay
happily greeting mama dirt every step of the way
us sense your life in the heart of
we god
we’own fathers who don’t quite know you
enty dem bukruh, too
coming to me across lapsed timelines
fuh uhm s’posed tuh pray?
Bactize muh ‘gen mo bettuh
show me where forgiveness draws its breath!
b’kause augus’ jes lef,
Great Mother Savannah
seems your timing is always just before dat liquid sunshine showers fall
us hear your love
as hard as dat fear in the priestess’s voice
when she speaks of Hevioso’s thunder
shock waves scattering
whisking bodies away from what they will never possess
but auntie Gladys remembers your call to
your grand chirren
“here come my shango shanga’s”
reminding me to run to you arms, smiles open wide “we’re here”!
us touched by bands of rain that replenish
muh inna umbra
cleansing prayers, nurturing gifts, loving beingness
giving we life
you left
transformed like the smoke
Of burning camphor,
Positively, peacefully, pleasingly
when clouds give way
love’s residue is golden rain
na us smell the favor upon our family today and fo ever
like the lavender, sage, and frankincense of ancient temples
where I pay close attention,
muhself study haa’d
while stann’n ona bank of the Ogeechee River
den muhself know
your real name’s a scarification
fierce, eternal branding upon the left chamber of we h’aa’ts
sectembtuh yuh Great Mother Savannah
seems your timing is always just before liquid sunshine showers fall
BIO
InnaRae’s work as a singer/songwriter, poet, and teacher exemplifies an appreciation of the human spirit, knowledge of purpose, and love of beauty. In veneration to and with assistance from her maternal and paternal ancestresses who, throughout time and space, have moved in their spiritual giftings with full acceptance and authorization from Spirit, InnaRae walks in the energy of balance and the divine feminine. Her beloved ancestors also assist her while traveling through this earthly realm on a frequency of love that, despite hardships, has held onto its spiritual dignity throughout many generations in her bloodline.
Through her art, she encourages readers and listeners to return “home”, transform, and discover that absolutely no circumstance can diminish the life and light that shines within each soul. Her music fuses her poetry with a Neo-Soul sound in celebration of an African concept Sankofa, which defines the process of going back to our roots, searching out, and acquiring what would be helpful to move forward in life. To date, InnaRae has recorded albums, Rena’s Moan (2008) and most recently, The Brooding of Emaline Oliver (2018). Both works are enjoyed by listeners who seek a healing path and opportunity to face their spiritual truths.
InnaRae has also worked with NYC motion picture director Rosalyn Williams of Red Wall Productions to produce a short documentary, titled The Journey to Rena’s Moan (2011), which compels women who struggle with sexual shame and generational wounds to start the healing journey and allow their authentic gifts shine. This powerful work serves to bring art to healing centers and now homes, where art is often overlooked as a viable contributor to the healing process. Currently, InnaRae writes reflective articles, essays, and poetry to scribe her experiences on the ancestral healing path. She also teaches, trains onboarding professors at an online University, facilitates workshops, and performs upon request. Recorded in 2022, her latest poetic offerings, Growth Mates and The Nile River, can be viewed on YouTube.
To learn more, please visit www.innarae.com
LISTEN to InnaRae’s interview with SOREN LIT