Haibo My Love

Haibo my love, don't dim me down
I came with fire for the whole town
Haibo my love, don't hold me small
When I step through the gate, blessings call

They said, be quiet, don't shine too bright
I tied my shoes and danced through the night
Aunties laughing by the cooking smoke
Children copying every step I throw
You danced right past me like you didn't see
Then looked back twice — haibo, you're teasing me

No more hiding my name, no more shrinking my flame
If the drum says go, I go
If my heart says glow, I glow

Haibo my love, don't dim me down
I came with fire for the whole town
Haibo my love, don't hold me small
When I step through the gate, blessings call

Haibo! (my love)
Haibo! (my light)
Clap for the women who carry the day
Clap for the dreams that refused to fade

Your auntie's watching from the plastic chair
The whole yard grinning at the sparks in the air
You said, bring the cows and I said, how many
You smiled and said, just start with any
Love in the dust with the marimba ringing
Even the shy ones singing

They told my gogo to sit down in nineteen seventy-four
She sat, sixty years she sat by that same kitchen door
Last winter she took my hand and said one thing to me
My child, when they say sit — you dance

Haibo my love, don't dim me down
I came with fire for the whole town
Haibo my love, don't hold me small
Gogo, I'm dancing past your kitchen door

Haibo my love