Phantom Cries

from Phantom Cries by Kashimana

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Content Warning
Child Loss, Maternal Mortality, Grief

Copied from Phantom Cries Prelude
According to the CDC,
Out of 4 million women who give birth in the US annually
Over 50,000 a year, experience dangerous and even life-threatening complications
12.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for white women
17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for women of other races
40.0 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women
The ratio of complications across races is negligible
But the fatalities are not
2 to 3 times more maternal death occurs for Black women

I wanted to do this album because I felt I had so much to say but also wanted to shed light and help amplify the Maternal Mortality Disparities in the US. Shocked and disappointed at the increased numbers among Black mothers and birthing persons like myself. It was also concerning to see similar disparities in infant mortality. I remember looking at the research and reading many articles including one article by ProPublica called ‘Lost Mothers’ in 2017 that stuck with me. I became worried and angry.

I was also frustrated as I started talking with my friends, family, and colleagues dealing with the same obstacles and lack of support. The voices being ignored are important and being ignored or dismissed at the wrong time leads to lost lives. The short appointments, the cut-off sentences, and the minimizing of voices. These are not Phantom Cries, these are real voices. Are you listening? How will you support changes that support us?

lyrics

One Last
One Last

One Last touch
One last gaze
One last breath
Haunting her days

She hears another cry, in the space where her heart keeps on beating
She still carries his voice, in her DNA where he keeps on living
She has a perfect picture of his eyes before he went away, he’s gone
And the silver sun that pierced the clouds have turned to gray, he’s gone

10 months of dreaming, ten months of gleaming
Who will stop the cries?
Phantom!

Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da
Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da da da

One Last touch
One last gaze
One last breath
Haunting her days

She sees another life, in the space where her brain keeps remembering
She still reaches for his hand, so small and too fragile yet tightly holding on
She has a perfect picture of the footprints he’ll never make, He’s gone
Next to the perfect picture of steps that he’ll never take, He’s gone
Ten months of dreaming, life cut short
Ten months of gleaming, life cut short
Who will stop the cries, phantom!

Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da
Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da da da

One Last touch
One last gaze
One last breath
Haunting her days
One Last touch (take me instead)
One last gaze (what do I do now)
One last breath (oh the grief)
Haunting her days (oh the grief)

Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da
Ta mm ta mm ta mm ta ta mm ta ta da da da

credits

from Phantom Cries, released July 28, 2023
Music and Lyrics: Kashimana Ahua
Singing and Vocals: Kashimana Ahua, Aja Parham, Sarah O’ Neil, Alicia Steele
Drums and Percussion: Glory Yard
Bass: Khary Jackson (Khary J)
Engineering, Mixing and Mastering: Matt Patrick
Recorded: The Library Studio

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Kashimana Saint Paul, Minnesota

Kashimana is a multi-talented artist who wears many hats mother, musician, composer, producer, and teaching artist. Their music evokes profound emotions with its beautiful blend of soulful vocals, acoustic R&B, folk, and Afro-funk. Kashimana's performances are a raw and authentic expression of vulnerability, infused with joy and pain seeking to heal, comfort, inspire and ignite life and love. ... more

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