In celebration of Black History Month, Atwood Magazine has invited artists to contribute essays exploring themes of identity, music, culture, inclusion, and more.
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Today, Philadelphia artist Chioke presents two poignant poems as part of Atwood Magazine's Black History Month series! The first poem describes the moment she learned she was pregnant, while the second was crafted three months after she welcomed motherhood into her life.
Chioke stands out as one of music’s most compelling new talents, seamlessly blending sultry, cinematic vocals with a raw, ethereal sound. With origins in spoken word and a journey influenced by loss, her artistic path began in a bedroom studio alongside her best friend and producer, Jay Dreamer, whose passing has left a profound impact on her music. Each track resonates with emotion, encouraging listeners to embrace both the joys and challenges of life. In Chioke’s world, every note tells a story, and every song defies the ordinary.
Her latest project, ‘When in Doubt,’ is now available through Core Valu / Bread & Butter. “This album is a reflection on the trials of poverty, self-doubt, and resilience, capturing the challenges of navigating life, chasing dreams, and facing the harsh truths of limited choices,” Chioke explains.
Below are Chioke’s poems, and you can listen to ‘When in Doubt’ on your favorite music streaming platform!
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Chioke © Quincey Best
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by Chioke
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Part 1
Am I not human enough to deserve your mercy?
Is it something within me that troubles you?
You acted as if you couldn’t perceive it,
Perhaps those clear lines have begun to blur.
Inconsolable,
She has just lost her love,
The one beside her
And the one within.
Inside, they say, a new life is forming,
And endings signify new beginnings,
But what am I to do with two ends?
What am I to do with these ruins?
How can I give life
When the sacrifice
Means ending it?
If I’m just a woman in poverty,
Who decides when the right time is?
Is the sacrifice to live a lonely life
Or to breathe when survival is a struggle?
Is paradise quiet and lonely for a rockstar?
Do all my angels possess their own heavens,
And my chance to fill mine was to leave my mark in time,
In blood, not just in stone?
Am I not human enough to deserve your mercy?
Is it something within me that troubles you?
You acted like you couldn’t see it,
Maybe those clear lines have begun to blur.
This poem was penned when I first discovered I was pregnant. I hadn’t planned on having children at that time in my life. Initially, I thought I was expecting one child. Upon learning I was having twins, I felt it was meant to be: They felt magical to me.
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Chioke © Quincey Best
Part 2
I lean to my left to kiss you.
As you sleep on my shoulder,
Your snores — quiet, like gentle whispers.
I carefully pull your brother closer to me for a kiss as well.
He’s lying sideways on my stomach,
His heavy head resting softly on your back.
My stomach aches,
As hunger has lingered here for maybe two hours now,
But the essence of my wonderful boys keeps me captive.
I refuse to get up and prepare something to eat for myself,
Yet this moment is so beautiful.
It seems I experience it a bit differently each morning.
I ponder all the tasks I should be attending to around the house —
Cleaning the kitchen, letting the dog out; my mind races with reminders of what I need to order for you both on Amazon. Then I think of the bathroom that needs tidying. Perhaps I should place you guys in your cribs and actually…
I’m so enamored with this moment that I’ve chosen to overlook my household duties… they will be done.
As you both lie on me, I contemplate the rest of our lives together. Specific moments.
I’m not overwhelmed by thoughts of financial burdens or anxious about parenting.
Instead, I envision us dancing in the rain, splashing in shimmering puddles, your laughter ringing out in joyous chaos. We’ll be moved to go indoors and create art on a lovely rainy day.
I picture you two at the beach in Cape May, discovering the sensation of sand between your toes for the first time. I look forward to our inaugural beach trip this summer.
I think of racing to the car after an outing, I’ll lead the charge but let you both catch up to keep it competitive before I make my final sprint and claim victory.
I recall moments in my life when my innocence and imagination were free. And now I get to share that with my boys.
I think of the day I’ll share all the achievements I reached
This is the second song to be released from his much-anticipated third album, ‘The Crux’.
Chappell Roan, Travis Scott, Bring Me The Horizon, and Hozier will headline this summer's bank holiday extravaganza.
The band will perform live five times leading up to their headline performance at All Points East in London this summer.
More than 100 artists have been included in the lineup for the May weekend event.
It’s supposedly “a song for Brooklyn Beckham.”
They have also released a stop-motion video to accompany it.
Philadelphia artist Chioke presents two meaningful poems as part of Atwood Magazine’s Black History Month series! The first poem reflects on the moment she discovered she was pregnant, while the second poem was created three months after she embraced motherhood.