So now we know who Beyonce’s favorite poet is: 27-year-old Somali-Brit Warsan Shire.
Shire’s poetry was heard ‘round the world last Saturday in Lemonade, Beyonce’s latest album, dropped on HBO in the form of a 1-hour special — a sweeping series of songs and videos that look at romance, rage and redemption. Between the glossy cinematography and, of course, the music, Queen Bey recited excerpts of Shire’s works, launching the artist into the global spotlight:
“you can’t make homes out of human beings
someone should have already told you that
and if he wants to leave
then let him leave”
Shire doesn’t just write about love, loss and infidelity. The poet also muses on many of the issues we cover on Goats and Soda: violence against women (“To my daughter I will say / 'when the men come, set yourself on fire’ ”), refugees (“You have to understand / that no one puts their children in a boat / unless the water is safer than land”), war and the African diaspora.
Such a good read on the poet who’s resonating with Beyoncé. -Emily
“I am the dragon breathing fire, beautiful man I am the lion, beautiful man I know you’re lying.”
by Nikkolas Smith, Hayley Heartbreak, Johnny Perez, Brian Elstak, Morgan L., Alex (Ohsh), Dave Oak, and Blake Kathryn.
