The Word ‘Supreme’ Has Been Canceled
This poem was originally published Charleston City Paper
“Supreme” has been used to describe many
things. Most of them are divine. Oh, the divine
John Coltrane, whose A Love Supreme was
the ultimate example of gentle jazz syncopation.
Later, The Supremes: A perfect name for three
divine Black women who broke the sound
barrier for Motown, singing protest songs
with a smile. “Supreme” meant excellence.
Abundance in its highest form. But now,
when my daughter hears that word, it is a
form of fear and control. White supremacy
and The Supreme Court. How did the word
lose its integrity? Will other words, like “trust,”
“love,” and “freedom” be overturned? I want her
to know that freedom of choice is not out of
context in the land of the “free.” I demand that
her life be a part of its history. I need her to
trust the definition of words like I trust Diana
Ross to sing the truth. I want my daughter to
know that she is supreme. And divine. I want
to protect her from things that feed on
manipulation and domination. I am a powerless
parent in a broken political system. But I
still want my daughter to know the word
“revolution” before it, too, is taken away.
Marcus Amaker, Charleston’s first Poet Laureate, balances daily naps with an eclectic career as a dad, husband, opera writer, and Academy of American Poets fellow. Inducted into the S.C. Literary Hall of Fame, he has published ten books and released 43 music albums. His reimagined version of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” was featured at President Biden’s 2021 inauguration by the Washington National Opera. His original opera, The Weight of Light, debuted in Chicago in 2024. Amaker’s work has garnered recognition from Literary Hub, The Washington Post, PBS Newshour, American Poets Magazine, and more.
The Marbled Sigh 