somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff
somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff not my poems or a dance i gave up in the street but somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff
like a kleptomaniac workin hard & forgettin while stealin this is mine/this aint yr stuff/ now why don’t you put me back & let me hang out in my own self
somebody almost walked off wit alla my stuff & didn’t care enuf to send a note home sayin i was late for my solo conversation or two sizes to small for my own tacky skirts
what can anybody do wit somethin of no value on a open market/ did you getta dime for my things/ hey man/ where are you goin wid alla my stuff/ to ohh & ahh abt/ daddy/ i gotta mainline number from my own shit/ now wontcha put me back/ & let me play this duet/ wit silver ring in my nose/ honest to god/
somebody almost run off wit alla my stuff/ & i didnt bring anythin but the kick & sway of it the perfect ass for my man & none of it is theirs this is mine/ ntozake ‘her own things’/ that’s my name now give me my stuff/ i see ya hidin my laugh/ & how i s it wif my legs open sometimes/ to give me some sunlight/ & there goes my love my toes my chewed up finger nails/ niggah/ wif the curls in yr hair/ mr. louisiana hot link/
i want my stuff back/ my rhytums & my voice/ open my mouth/ & let me talk ya outta/ throwin my shit in the sewar/ this is some delicate leg & whimsical kiss/ i gotta have to give to my choice/ without you runnin off wit alla my shit/ now you cant have me less i give me away/ & i waz doin all that/ til ya run off on a good thing/
who is this you left me wit/ some simple bitch widda bad attitude/ i wants my things/ i want my arm wit the hot iron scar/ & my leg wit the flea bite/ i want my calloused feet & quik language back in my mouth/ fried plantains/ pineapple pear juice/ sun-ra & joseph & jules/ i want my own things/ how i lived them/ & give me my memories/ how i waz when i waz there/ you cant have them or do nothin wit them/
stealin my shit from me/ dont make it yrs/ makes it stolen/ somebody almost run off wit alla my stuff/ & i waz standin there/ lookin at myself/ the whole time & it waznt a spirit took my stuff/ waz a man whose ego walked round like Rodan’s shadow/ waz a man faster n my innocence/
waz a lover/ i made too much room for/ almost run off wit alla my stuff/ & i didnt know i’d give it up so quik/ & the one runnin wit it/ don’t know he got it/ & i’m shoutin this is mine/ & he dont know he got it/ my stuff is the anonymous ripped off treasure of the year/
did you know somebody almost got away wit me/ me in a plastic bag under their arm/ me danglin on a string of personal carelessness/ i’m spattered wit mud & city rain/ & no i didnt get a chance to take a douche/ hey man/ this is not your perogative/ i gotta have me in my pocket/ to get round like a good woman shd/ & make the poem in the pot or the chicken in the dance/
what i got to do/ i gotta get my stuff to do it to/ why dont ya find yr own things/ & leave this package of me for my destiny/ what ya got to get from me/ i’ll give it to ya/ yeh/ i’ll give it to ya/ round 5:00 in the winter/ when the sky is blue-red/ & Dew City is gettin pressed/ if it’s really my stuff/ ya gotta give it to me/ if ya really want it/ i’m the only one/ can handle it
-ntozake shange. “For coloured girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf”
Photo Credits: Former residents of a group of illegal structures pick through the debris of what was once their homes after the Nairobi City Council tore down the structures on the night of December 16th, 2009.
Very clever use of Ntozake’s words. I love it.
Remember that a film, based on For Colored Girls, is going to be released in November. I’m paying that it does justice to Ntozake Shange’s great play!
Alicia
jUST SAW THE MOVIE FOR COLORED GIRLS. I NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO SEE THE PLAY BUT THE MOVIE WAS OUTSTANDING. THE MOVIE TOUCHED SO MANY EMOTIONS OF MINE. I LOVED Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff. TYLER PERRY GREAT JOB!
I love this poem. I wish I heard it three years ago
This poem is awesome and to hear it spoken in the movie was an awesome experience. I didn’t see the play, but I am going to buy the book. If the movie moved me the tears, then I know the book is going to give me palpitations. I want every woman to go see this movie, not just Colored Girls — EVERY WOMAN! Yes it is the Colored Girls’ story; but it is also the Latina girls’ story, the Asian girls’ story, the White girls story, and so on. Every class is represented in the most heart rendering situations. WONDERFUL POEM and WONDERFUL MOVIE!
Loved It!
WOW! I saw this play when I was 12/13 years of age and now I am 45. I never forgot the play. When I was watching the movie on yesterday, the memories of the play started coming back to me and the memory of seeing these women on a stage and now seeing the movie – I was in AWE and I was inspired. When I heard the words “SOMEBODY ALMOST WALKED AWAY WITH ALL MY STUFF” I shouted and said to my sister “I remember those words” from the play. The play was powerful and the movie is powerful. This movie is for every woman, man, teenager and this movie is for HISTORY! There are many lessons to be learned in this movie – I pray it touch the souls of many. SOMEBODY ALMOST WALKED AWAY WITH ALL MY STUFF but I WOKE UP! Wake up my sista’s – my brother’s. Wake up!
Thouroughly enjoyed this poem in the moved “For Colored Girls” I will definitely be buying the book, if not for just the poetry. Thank you for the play/movie. It really is relateable and touches on every emotions there is. Brava!!
I love this poem Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff by Ntozake Shange. I did think their was ever a poem that is on the same level as Phenomenal Women by Maya Angelou but this is it. I know they have different meanings but the message is so strong, direct and all about the strength of the indiviual that reads it. By now you can tell I never saw the play or read the book I heard this poem for the first time in the Tyler Perry Movie For Colored Girls this weekend. This movie is awesome! This is a must see, but you must view it openly. I would like to purchase the play (if it has been taped), I want the book also. If anyone can tell me where to purchase the DVD and Book of the 1970’s verison please post
i went to see the movie and i loved it! i never got to see the play adn i wish i had. this poem is by far my favorite. it touched on the exact feeling i had wheni split form my ex. i agree this poem is up there with Phenomenal women by maya angelou. i have been reading it for anyone who will listen since i saw the movie. it is great!
I saw the movie on sunday & I haven’t been able to wash it out of my spirit…this is a movie you have to listen to understand what is really going on. Im going back to see it agin because the crowd around me was so rude & they has no respect for art of the movie..they just heard it was a Tyler Perry production & ran. I love him & he did a great job but I do recommend people look beyond the stars in the movie & respect the poetic art behind the stories!
This poem is soooo deep and real to life! It is a reminder of how, as women, we can fall so deep that if we don’t realize it before it’s too late, somebody will walk off wid alla our stuff: self-esteem, pride, ambition, class, uniqueness and the list could go on and on! As BLACK women we can’t forget to love ourselves, to take time out for us!!! Don’t let nobody walk off wid alla your stuff! Keep your stuff, it’s yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW….WOW…I, like many others did not have the opportunity to see the play, however the movie was outstanding. It left me speechless on one hand and full of something to say on the other, it left me searching for ownership of my hurts and disappointments. This film is definitely not just for colored girls it is for all women of all ages and ethnicities. I will be taking my 15 year old to see it this weekend. There were several poems in the play that I absolutely adored, however this one and the one recited by Janet Jackson’s character really hit home for me. PHENOMENAL JOB….MR. PERRY
Loved it!!!! Just makes me think about all the times “Somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff”"!!!!
I loved this poem… it reminds me to not give my stuff away… The beginning of the poems gets your attention…Somebody Just Walked Off Wid Alla My Stuff!!!! It lets you know to pay attention. I loved the movie. I wish I would have seen the stage play. This is the poem that I take away from the movie…
I love this poem. It is so inspirational, gives me a big boost of courage. “Somebody Almost Walked Off Wid Alla My Stuff”!!!!!!! “why dont ya find yr own things & leave this package of me for my destiny!”!!!! Love it!
I too saw this play when I was 11 or 12. What a difference a few decades makes. Ms. Ntozake Shange’s play was powerful then but it really resonates now. My husband recently left me after a 29 year relationship. So, when Lorette Devine uttered this poem in her delightful portrayal of a woman left, my heart reached to absorb her light. i had come a long way in my processing what had happened but this poem speaks to my rebirth and reminded me of all the stuff I have and will continue to have. I cannot be broken.
WOW! Just saw the movie and I Lovvve Lovve Lovve this poem. I believe every woman can associate with this poem… “somebody almost walked off wid alla my stuff!” When this poem begain all I could think of was past relationships… “did you know somebody almost got away wit me/ me in a plastic bag under their arm”
Wow! once again… I lovvveeeeeeed it!
I just saw the movie For Colored Girls …
This poem was really brought to life. I had not heard it before but I am in love wit it!
I never saw the play, just brought the book and saw the Movie 2 days ago. I will be sharing this with my daughters when they are old enuf to understand. The movie moved me SEVERLY! messd my WHOLE rest of the DAY up!! it was awesome, the poetry and art of it is inspiring and mindblowingly REAL, absolutely loved it! This movie, being aTyler Perry flick was instantly assumed to be a MALE bashing movie, by my husband and his friends, When i left the theater, there were grown men with tears in their eyes the movie is so full of UNCOMFORTABLE Truths about men & WOMEN, TRUTHS being the key word. The character ALL-Star cast not only delivered, they SPOON_FED you from the screen!!! It is SERIOUS, share this with a young MAN or LADY in your life!! Enlighten someone, Please!
THIS POEM IS VERY MEANINGFUL. THIS IS VERY INSPIRING!
Loretta Devine is absolutely amazing. I have no doubt Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Thandie Newton and Loretta Devine will be nominated for an Oscar. I hope Loretta Devine Wins. She was so good—Somebody almost got away with all my stuff, me…Miss Wanita Simons lool That was awesome! Kudos To Tyler Perry and all the women in the movie.
EVERY WOMEN NEEDS TO LISTEN AND READ THIS OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
Initially, I was skeptical to watch the movie due to some of the realistic, but emotional scenes. However I must say that I am pleased with this movie. The poem brings about so many different ideas, emotions, and so forth. I must agree with the other comments regarding Phenomenal Women. That has been my all time favorite poems since I was nine, for the past fourteen years. I have now found one to place in a category with it. Of course there are other poems that are touching, but as a female…Somebody almost done walked off wid alla my stuff…brings about another type of emotion, filled with encouragement and empowerment.
the movie color girls reveals an emotional and personal side of individuals, who go though life experience and learn to overcome their fears by admitting their mistakes.
I never saw the play…but the movie was brilliant art. The movie was still poetry and I heard every single word.
l have neva slowed down to realize that I’ve been chasing down tha wrong people trying to get my stuff back, but after seeing tha movie and hearing Loretta Devines powerful rendition was AWAKENED and made aware of how I let someone take me away from me. I’ve been lookin for myself every since. Im so many things, so may emotions, but im not really me. Im everything that i’ve been recreated to be mad, hurt, angry, scared, wounded, lonely, afraid. Afraid of letting any one else in, afraid that somebody mght walk off w all my stuff
I did this poem back in high school, got me an A+ for reciting this poem, I saw the movie, and when Loretta D. started reciting, tears came to my eyes, I thought when it was over, I should not have paid, to see this movie, but she should have been GETTING paid to be in it. Somebody walked all with all my stuff, I think it was my dream, wonder if it’s too late.
…sombody almost walked a way wit me! n a plastic bag under his arm.. Loretta Devine did more than do this piece justice. Any Kimberly Elise Oh my GOD… Delivered the performance of a life time. I’m giving a copy of the poems to every black WOMAN I know for Christmas and I pray that these words, this body of work resonates in their soul like it has in mine.
I couldn’t sleep without looking up this poem, I feel this poem from the bottom of my heart. this has happened to me many of times but i reteived my belongs and im going to grow and keep packing all my things up and moving on!!!
The movie was about the most risque thing Tyler Perry has ever done to date. This poem stands out because at a point in my life i almost let someone walk away with all of my stuff. noticed i sais I almost let. I allowed because I did not know who I was or the power I held. But I am glad i did something before they did.