The Flight of a Broken
Chain Link
Poem and narrative written by Andrew Jordan | Ashview Height neighborhood
narrative by andrea jordan
Captured through the broken chain link are two lots that were once the grounds of a cultural museum and event space, but a casualty to the topic at hand, the narrative is a plot, then a new build erected on the land.
This is the narrative of our neighborhoods, cities as well as rural, and the solution is back when Big Mama could borrow a cup of sugar from Mrs. Johnson.
The FLight of a broken Chain Link
Big Mama’s, the Johnson’s, the Brown’s,
And the corner lot, that was the spot.
The Chain Link that connected us.
You remember when...
Big Mama could borrow a cup of sugar from Mrs. Johnson.
And Mr. Brown would discipline us,
When he saw us fail, then tell Big Daddy too.
And OH BOY, you knew what Big Daddy was gonna do.
They linked together, like family too,
Just as our neighborhoods should do.
The Chain Link that connected us too.
Through rhythm and blues,
They danced on the corner lot that was the spot.
They linked together celebrating our black triumph and spirit too,
Just as our neighborhoods should do.
The Chain Link that connected us too.
Affluent, our neighborhoods were,
They all had thriving black businesses,
That linked together, supporting each other too,
Just as our neighborhoods should do.
The Chain Link that connected us too.
Through resilience and might,
They had to fight for our freedom too.
They linked together, in this endeavor too,
Just as our neighborhoods should do.
The Chain Link that connected us too.
Then the Chain Link that connected us,
Began to take flight, not talkin’ bout white.
Big Mama died,
And we began to lose our family pride.
The Johnson's business died too,
The Brown's lost their home to Uncle Sam too.
And the corner lot that was the spot, changed too.
The Chain Link pulled apart.
We got 3/2's far outside the neighborhood too,
Leaving Pookie there, in our neighborhood without a clue.
Fighting with our brothers and sisters,
We sold Big Mama’s house too.
Not telling our children what we once would do.
The businesses no longer thriving too,
And the family dysfunctions were exposed too.
The Chain Link pulled apart.
Since Big Mama's home is no more,
We don’t remember the Johnson's anymore.
The Brown’s still watchin, but no longer snitching,
Because their boys got that corner lot riddled with crack.
The Chain Link pulled apart.
Pulled apart, they plotted against our Chain Link.
Pulled apart, they landed against our Chain Link.
Pulled apart, they rebranded our Chain Link.
Pulled apart, they demolished our Chain Link.
Pulled apart, they erected against our Chain Link.
The Chain Link that connected us, pulled apart.
Now pulled apart what can we do,
Instead of just looking through the broken Chain Link too?