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Blackable

Penny's A-Z prompt.

By Antoni De'LeonPublished about a year ago Updated about a year ago 2 min read

Blackable

A Celebration of Black Freedom

You will not find me in your traditional dictionary. I am self-defined, made up. But then, is not every word a made up concept drawn from life itself. So then am I defined as...Blackable!

As a non-color not given the respect it is due, for black and white are not colors, they are deemed neutral. Neutral in that they do not titillate the color spectrum of fancy.

In this word I find the heart of a people, fighting to define themselves and hone the essence of who they really are. A people who have struggled to regain their pride, a dignity once ripped from their ancestors who strove to be free. To be the beautiful, creative and gracefully fluid inhabitants of a God-given all-encompassing land.

Blackable - The poem

To those caught between the confines of a duality of race

Between the pages of a black and white bound book

The Blackable parts which may also be deemed Whiteable

Or any of the other lovely shades in between...

Colorable...

Yet, why do we have to be defined

“Blackable”! A curious word, isn’t it? While it does not exist in the standard English lexicon, let’s spin a poetic ode around it.

A word emerges, both strange and uncharted, black as a midnight’s unseen screen.

Is it the ink that stains the poet’s quill, Or the void between stars, where silence is still? Perhaps it’s the secret of a ravens’ flight, A pigment that darts beyond day and night.

“Blackable,” they murmur, like ancient spells, A fusion of obsidian and cosmic wells. It’s the echo of footsteps on cruel shores, The enigma of darkness where the heart repose.

Can we touch it, this spectral shade? Trace its contours with fingers unafraid? Or is it a mirage, a phantom’s embrace, A syllable lost in the annals of space?

Imagine: galaxies colliding in brushstrokes of blackable, the universe’s pride, each stroke a story.

So let us invent it, this word undefined, A tribute to forgotten horrors, that forever be remembered, but shelved to posterity.

And when the curtain falls, and blackness swirls, in its depths, we will find... poetry composed to the blackable shades of night.✍️

By Andrew Kliatskyi on Unsplash

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The prompt.

Free Verseinspirational

About the Creator

Antoni De'Leon

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. (Helen Keller).

Tiffany, Dhar, JBaz, Rommie, Grz, Paul, Mike, Sid, NA, Michelle L, Caitlin, Sarah P. List unfinished.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Expert insights and opinions

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    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (3)

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  • WOAabout a year ago

    This is an amazing piece

  • Tiffany Gordonabout a year ago

    Spectacular writing! What a beautiful and brilliant finished product! BRAVO! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

  • Novel Allenabout a year ago

    I love it, the invention of a beloved blackable, I believe that word is already used by a theatre group of Black performers. Still. love the profound poetry.

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