Synkroniciti is excited to welcome back poet Sarita Smith from Georgia, USA, who debuted with us in our “Belonging” issue. Her poem “Split” explores the intersectionality of blackness and womanhood as experienced by black women, who are frequently discriminated against in either group. “Broken in half,/ Like communion bread,/ On first Sundays./ Expected to fill bellies and souls,/ In crumbs and pieces./ Never enough,/ Yet always too much.” Black men and white women expect them to be quiet and submit, to remain unindividuated, and yet support the respective group with unfailing energy. This is not only unjust, but runs counter to the survival sense and identity that many black women have developed in reaction to society’s unwillingness to support and recognize not only their difficulties, but their triumphs. Sarita does not pull any punches and the imagery of the black female body as torn bread expands to include partner on partner violence. Audra Lorde warned against silence and Sarita Smith has taken that warning to heart. The coiled verve of slam rhythm is joined with the sober reflection of the written word, producing an unforgettable sound and impact.
Read Sarita’s poetry in Synkroniciti’s “Identity” issue, available here: https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/purchase-individual-issues/. You don’t want to miss this emerging voice.
Sarita Smith is an Atlanta-based burgeoning writer and poet who grew up in the rural town of Madison, Georgia. A graduate of Spelman College, her writing often explores the emotions of Black women’s personal and political lives. Her work has been featured in From Spelmanites to You by Stephanie Deltor, UNITE, Inc.’s quarterly publication UNITE Notes, and the 13th Edition of Otherwise Engaged: A Literature and Arts Journal. She has also been selected for the 2024-2025 PAX Fellowship-Poetry Cohort.