ROUGH DRAFT: Velvet Feathers

Back in 2020, my friend, Aicha, and I created a poem called "Velvet Feathers" for the Equity organization at my school. The poem centered around a velvet feathered-bird, who was meant to represent women who have been silenced. At the moment, it was a project we were so eager to start, but we never got to fully realize it, so it ended up very unfinished. Here's the rough draft, and some of our brainstorming :)

• Bird analogy

  • Reflection idea (water changes color)

• when she gets caged, like she lost her agency and ability to express herself so she's silenced and the narrator takes over

• Attempts to rebuild ‘confidence’ at the end, but always gets trapped in the cage. It’s inescapable

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Velvet feathers ready to showcase their flair

Today is the day, I musn’t stay

Big blue heavens calling my name, I can no longer bare

Resisting my everlasting urge to twirl around in atmosphere

The wind guiding and gliding along under my feathered wings

Velvet feathers unfurl and unfold

They stretch out with haste

I have a story, it must be told

An aroma of vigor, of strength fills the air

So much to see, so much to be

To other birds, I need not compare

Velvet feathers clipped and corrupted

Bars of steel hold me prisoner

My story obstructed