The Laws of Motion (for Harlem Magic) By Nikki Giovanni



The laws of science teash us a pound of gold weighs as 
much as a pound of flour though if dropped from any 
undertermind height in theri natural state one would
reach bottom and one would fly away

Laws of motion tell us an inert object is more difficult to
propel than an object heading in the wrong direction is to
turn around. Motion being energy - inertia - apathy.
Apathy equals hostility. Hostility - violence. Violence 
being energy is its own virtue. Laws of motion teach us

Black people are no less confused because of our
Blackness than we are diffused becasue of our 
powerlessness. Man we are told is the only animal who
smile with his lips. The eyes however are the mirror of 
the soul

The problem with love is not what we feel but what we
wish we felt when we began to feel we should feel
something. 
Just as publicity is not production: 
seduction is not seductive

If I could make a wish I'd wish for all the knowledge of all
the world. Black may be beautiful 
Professor Micheau says but knowledge is power. 
Any desirable object is bought and sold - 
any neglected object declines in value.
It is against man's nature to be in either category

If white defines Black and good defines evil then men
define women or women scientifically speaking describe men. 
If sweet is the opposite of sour 
and heat the absense of cold then 
love is the contradiction of pain 
and beauty is in the eye of the beheld

Sometimes I want to touch you and be touched in return. 
But you think I'm grabbing and I think your're shirking and 
Mama always said to look out for men like 
you 

So I go to the streets with my lips painted red and my
eyes carefully shielded to seduce the world my reluctant
lover

And you go to your men slapping fives feeling good
posing as a man because you know as long as you sit 
very very still the laws of motion will be in effect