Ukweli Haunting

As all of this unfolds before me, I can't stop thinking of Ukweli.

She was one of the key ingredients that shaped "Flick" into it's form now.

A thread, a "magical girl" as Roy Fisher called her, that links the whole story.

Is it the girl? Is it the lighter? that causes the change...?

are they one and the same?


Ukweli is what I believe all of humanity aspires to be or become, yet, all or most are too lazy to implement the transformation.
Including myself.

She is like soul, like truth and genuine human goodness personified.

She is disciplined, yet free.
Free, but responsible
Responsible. But Silly.


I see her dignified, blunt yet gentle.
Radical but natural.
Intuitive but rational.

In the world, but not of this world.

I can't call her my alter ego.
Most writers take on a character to vicariously lead a life that is not quite fitting to their lifestyle.
For me, that would be more of a gothic party chick rockstar freak. (kidding, but not).

Ukweli seems more like an entity that floats above all life... a guiding voice.
A star to follow.
A presence and force that speaks to us where we aren't often willing to listen.

I look in the mirror, and sometimes I see her in my eyes.

With the knowledge that I will be playing this character out in the film's reality,
I attempt to be the warrior that she is, and find myself having to forgive myself for not be ready to live up to Ukweli's light.

She is a path many are unwilling to follow.

I am getting her hair threaded into mine at the end of this month, July, by serendipitious and artistic motives.

Ukweli haunts me, as she will to those willing to allow her, once she's manifested.