Poems of Hope Contest: hold on firmly when the birds sing, Chris L. Butler

Chris L. Butler is a Black American poet and essayist living in Canada. He is the author of the forthcoming chapbook, Melodies of the Oppressed (Ethel Zine, 2025) and a 3x Pushcart Prize nominee. He loves tacos and lattes, not necessarily together — but way more than he should. Chris is committed to the liberation of all oppressed peoples. 

hold on firmly when the birds sing

after Ha Jin

Never let go of your essence
Ignore those who shame your beliefs
Only you know your life’s history,
Let the magpies squawk their beaks
And to the virtuosic blue jays—
Who oratorio your praise
Quit singin’ from that dirty ass bird bath
Nobody wants to hear that shit.

Never let go of your character
May your fingers be an iron fist.
Even if the frost bites
Or the heat scalds
If the pain of the opposition
hasn’t welded your hand
Then you haven’t held on firm
enough

As long as you glue your grip to your morals
And adhesive your soul to your principles
No pigeon can ever make you bend the knee

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