I Know HER For[as] Myself: A response by Keyierra Collins

Keyierra Collins responds to a prompt from PRJ2.0 presented in conjunction with the “Deconstructing Language: Liberationist Writing for Performance” workshop series during PRJ’s satellite residency in Summer 2021 with the National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron.

Image created by Keyierra Collins

“Lord have mercy on us for loving men who don’t love us back”

I traveled so far outside my mind that I didn’t feel my body thud

Bounced on ground like rock interrupting quiet water

“Lord forgive us for secretly blaming ourselves”

I heard myself panting 

Loudly my chest collapsed into my ribcage 

“Lord, give me strength for what I am about to do”

I unfurled both knees to make two legs float like runaway balloons 

I observed them with arms spread wide as I lay on my back…1 second, then 2…3 seconds

The exhale from suspending knocked both heels to plummet

And I caved into myself, gathered a roar and whipped up on bended knees/pressed hands 

Hover…

Now belly tight, like REAL tight

Mad [tight] enough to kill a man 

Dangerous [tight] enough to be a Black Woman 

Eyes focused

Deep

Deep enough to see now and never 

There enough to notice big body of pause behind you 

See…I do this for my Sisters

Would flip through air and attack birds for them 

Split water and make it parade for them 

Get on elbows and hunt ground for them (them/HER)...

Ain’t no feet movin without the rhythm of their resistance 

Chest don’t pulsate without the woes of leftovers left behind on left bodies 

(left foot gives weight to right, right foot surrenders)

Hips don’t dutty whine without performing excerpts of their supreme 

Tongues wouldn’t crack wind, collecting souls with every gather

Rooms wouldn’t crowd with the toppled over remains of their pleasant devastation 

Cuz ain’t no existing without them 

Now see this body in full demonstration

A performance of living in motion despite the risks

My spirit accompanied by allegorical garments of ruffled skirts that flaunt their names in the folds

I carry all 

And give away the waste

I demonstrate a crossing

My ready swaddled in this body 

…Stand clear 

Take cover from my ocean 

Because I carry all

Move with the full of my being 

I demonstrate archives and hereafters

And I do this for Self

Would meet sun and take another breath for Her 

Kill the day to ensure more rest for Her 

Deny fools access to occupy space with Her

Cuz ain’t no existing…no planet existing without Her 

And ain’t no avoiding the God in their [Her/They/Sisters] Glory

[Writer’s Note: This series is based on my latest work in-development, How I found my feet again which is an explorative journey of me rediscovering myself as a movement artist. I use process, dance/movement, writing, and routines as tools for discovery. My NOW body, values, and current stage in life inform who I am now, in this moment in time as a movement artist. I utilized the tools offered by Brianna Alexis Heath during her “Deconstructing Language” workshop.]

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Keyierra Collins is an international dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist based in Chicago. In 2020 she was awarded the 3Arts/ Walder Foundation Awardee grant. As a dance artist Collins worked with artists like educator, international performer, and choreographer Onye Ozuzu as well as France-based Rwandan artist Dorothee Munyaneza. She also has had the pleasure of working with many Chicago based artists like Paige Cunningham, Emily Stein, Anna Martine Whitehead, and Sonita Surratt to name a few. Collins’ work explores how dance and movement can be used to heal trauma, particularly the collective and individual trauma experienced by people of the African diaspora. She graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2016 with a BA Dance.There she studied various dance forms, including West African, modern, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and improvisation. Having toured and worked with artists in Haiti and Nigeria, Collins wants to continue to travel and collaborate with artists around the world.

You can find Brianna Alexis Heath’s “Deconstructing Language” workshop here.