We just got here. Not even an hour ago.
The show at The Social is on Thursday 13th Nov
My body has been a little out of tune with my emotions lately.
Dunno what that is about
being brave is a myth
there is only survival
and arguments
and her never understanding what the fuck
you are not saying
not implying
about her or what she believes
can an activist/poet/woman/traveller
ever find the gritty half of a coin that might complete her?
Do I take too much shit form those who I wish to own?
and what the hell is the matter with humanity
wanting ownership
possession is nine-tenths of whose law?
Wish I could own myself
my own resposibility
for the fragmented parts of what makes me anything
I need to take control of me
my life
what is left of me
nothing left of me
nothing solid
I vascillate
swing upended from choice to impossible choice
I wish I was in love
and happy
living in a place that was safe for all the fears that drive me
from city to smaller city
a calling of names might help me
I miss you Asha
still love the way you loved me
yearning is a way we own what we cannot
wish I was able to label my loves
as permanent
It's been a while since I wanted
wanting is how we drink
from a forbidden cup glistening poison
send me a sign
Goddess
God
Universe
sky
earth
mother of Gods
and the fathers that bind us to their names
I am sick and sorrowed with these games
I want to drink
unencumbered by this albatross of choosing
I want someone to choose me
desire stretches further than my cunt
my career
my currency
my idiosyncratic cravings
need to be considered too
there are parts of me that are broken
unhealthy
you have to want all that
you must query
the length of a life with those failings
are not measured by the lack of railings
I want to fall for you
feel the swift sway of your own plunge
dipping into my forever
can we promise more than this moment
to anyone
to ourselves?
what of tomorrow is already given
to these bodies sloping selfish into the years
piling themselves
onto all we have not done yet
the long night
knocking senseless at my door
Talk soon,
Staceyann
Dear Staceyann, This is Diedra writing. I've met you on several occasions. You probably remember me. I am a 21yr old black female from Urbana, Illinois. Right now I'm writing to say, I feel you on what you are saying about being able to label your loves as permanent. Well, here's the situation. I entered the Army as an intelligence analyst Jun '01 and began training Jan '02. Since Jan ‘03 I have attempted to gain conscientious objector (CO) status and to receive a full separation from the Army. Shortly into this attempt I was called to go to Iraq, at which point I found that my initial unit in IL had misled me to believe that they had started my CO paperwork. Nevertheless, I went to MD to meet up with the unit I was being assigned to in order to go to Iraq, at which point I made sure that my case was started. During this time I have experienced administrative harassment from my superiors, I have endured a sexual assault, and numerous other catastrophies, all while waiting as directed for my case to be decided upon. I am now $3000 in debt, $1500 of which is education money that I have been wrongfully denied, and that my unit can't seem to figure out how to repay me. In addition, today, after waiting almost 1 yr, I found out that my conscientious objector case was denied. This means that I can now be called upon to go to Iraq, which I will by no means participate in. (I will go to jail before I go to Iraq with our gov't) To appeal the denial of my CO case I will soon file a writ of habeus corpus case at the federal court level. I am writing to request that you write a letter in support of my release and send it in on my behalf. Much thanks to you, and no matter what decision is made on the part of the military, I will continue with the good fight. Thanks again and I really appreciate the voice of consciousness and resistance that you never fail to present. Good luck with all of your work and life endeavors.
Sincerely,
Diedra Ansel Cobb
In case you have no clue what to write, here is an outline that I've proposed for people who would like to show support. But of course you can write whatever you would like:
To whom it may concern (enter one of the point of contact's names from below)
I, (your name), know (or, know of) SPC Cobb, Diedra A. in (state how you know me) capacity. I am writing in support of her being released from the US Army and to acknowledge that she has clearly demonstrated that she will take no part in the destruction being carried out by our armed forces. It is out of good intentions and integrity, not a fluke, that she has submitted her conscientious objector packet, which has unfortunately been denied. I am also writing to ask that her case be reexamined and to demand that she be released. It is not due to cowardice, insubordination, or any other short-coming that Diedra Cobb has come to the decision of leaving the military. It is only through many hours of thought, education, and testing her personal convictions as to what is right for humanity that she has come to the conclusion that her affiliation with the military is one that she must sever. I believe that if you consider the fact that she had tried to begin her CO case at a unit which misled her, take the time to reexamine the evidence that she has presented in her CO case, and consider that her position has not changed despite the length of time that she has had to wait, you will realize that she should rightfully be released from the military. Last but not least, I am writing to inform you that she will not serve as an instrument of destruction in your militia of unjust wars and to demand that she be released!
sign your name and send it
Points of Contact (writing the senator and rep will hold the most weight, but if you can, send the letter you write to all of these people):
1. My senator (Illinois)
Senator Richard J. Durbin
525 South Eigth Street
Springfield, IL 62703
ph: 217-492-4062
fax: 217-492-4382
email: dick@durbin.senate.gov
2. My representative (15th District, Illinois)
Representative Timothy V. Johnson
2004 Fox Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
ph: 217-403-4690
fax: 217-403-4691
electronic contact: http://www.house.gov/writerep ; Illinois, 61801
3. My commander (203d MI BN, Aberdeen Proving Ground)
CPT Fenske, Brad D.
203D MI BN
Bldg 4727 Deer Creek Loop
APG, MD 21005
email: brad.fenske@us.army.mil
4. The commander of my commander (656th Area Support Group)
COL Skoll, John J.
656th ASG Bldg 176 NAS
Willow Grove, PA 19090-5110
email: john.skoll@us.army.mil
5. The inspector general (99th Regional Support Command)
Attn: AFRC-CPA-IG
99th RSC
99 Soldiers Lane
Coraopolis, PA 15108-2550