there are women in my head
bold church hat wearing soldiers
connected to Source
and all Her creations
connected by promise
women who are clear
that beauty is more than looking good
deeper than smelling like roses and jasmine
more tedious than press n curls and pedicures
these women
these earth warriors
make life look easy
these seeing women
with word from the Lord
these big boned women
bumped from the pulpit
excused from his counsels
made small in the gospel
these big footed women
more dangerous than their fears
using their voices
as weapon as sheild as balm
these straight talkin' women
chocolate of every hue
change the tapes in my head
when i replay the sore spots of my past
longer than the lesson
they lead me, these humming women
to new language
new perspective
other stories
they dress me in their reds, their blues
sing me in their arethas
their big mama thortons
their Jesus keep me near Thy cross
scarves from their grandmothers
prayers from their closets
i am ready
i hear these women of God
whispering in my blood flow
see them translucent on the streets
behind the babies
comforting the homeless
between their breasts
i dance with them
when i am weak
they stand my legs
stregthen my tongue
still my spirit
quicken my gait
steady my breath
remind me
to listen
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Questions
what will it matter
a hundred years from now
if women poets, writers, preachers
are not talking about
what matters to women
what matters to the world
what will be the difference
in the way the world relates to women
the difference in what we feel
our bodies, our spirit
in how we treat our children
our teachers, our political and spiritual leaders
will our voices have made a difference
will our kindness have mattered
will our silence have proven to be best choice
will what we didn't say be the death of us
what will our great strengths have been
what are we saying with our words, our actions
what are we saying and agreeing to
about ourselves
what are our boundaries
who are we allowing to cross them
and why
how are we spending our
time, money, energy
what will our last words be
and to whom
what kinds of lives are we living
what questions are we asking
and to whom
what are our hobbies, our outlets
what does the body of our work say
about us
a hundred years from now
if women poets, writers, preachers
are not talking about
what matters to women
what matters to the world
what will be the difference
in the way the world relates to women
the difference in what we feel
our bodies, our spirit
in how we treat our children
our teachers, our political and spiritual leaders
will our voices have made a difference
will our kindness have mattered
will our silence have proven to be best choice
will what we didn't say be the death of us
what will our great strengths have been
what are we saying with our words, our actions
what are we saying and agreeing to
about ourselves
what are our boundaries
who are we allowing to cross them
and why
how are we spending our
time, money, energy
what will our last words be
and to whom
what kinds of lives are we living
what questions are we asking
and to whom
what are our hobbies, our outlets
what does the body of our work say
about us
Before session one
parked across the street
in the mall parking on
a rainy day in front of
sephora
because i am two hours
early for session one
and am tempted to spend
this money on make up
and sephora is always
having some kind of sale
and it is a problem that
i am weighing my health
against a tube of
lipstick and face powder
and isnt it ironic that i
am tempted with make up
as if i need another covering
to pretend that all of this
is ok
in the mall parking on
a rainy day in front of
sephora
because i am two hours
early for session one
and am tempted to spend
this money on make up
and sephora is always
having some kind of sale
and it is a problem that
i am weighing my health
against a tube of
lipstick and face powder
and isnt it ironic that i
am tempted with make up
as if i need another covering
to pretend that all of this
is ok
Psy chic 101
i was on the bus stop on
crenshaw and wilshire
when a young woman pulled
in front of me and stopped
at the red light
she told me that she would
give me a free reading because
i had some strong energy
i told her
baby you dont even
have enough time
crenshaw and wilshire
when a young woman pulled
in front of me and stopped
at the red light
she told me that she would
give me a free reading because
i had some strong energy
i told her
baby you dont even
have enough time
Thank you
because I am laughing again
drinking wine again
for the fun again
because woman talk is easy with you
remembering is easy with you
thank you for stories and cheese
and olives and yesterday slide shows
made clearer
set free
thank you for
conversations created over
braids being set free
let loose
let go
for connections and
the truth
finally
the truth
drinking wine again
for the fun again
because woman talk is easy with you
remembering is easy with you
thank you for stories and cheese
and olives and yesterday slide shows
made clearer
set free
thank you for
conversations created over
braids being set free
let loose
let go
for connections and
the truth
finally
the truth
Release
there are easier friends to have than i
i suppose
more comfortable women to be around
i guess
there is always a younger booty
flatter stomach
more money
better job out there
i reckon
but hearts like mine come few
i know
i will not take on your load of fear and blame
i will find the freedom i need to make peace
with whats so right now
there is too much talk about
what i dont have
cant do
the ecomony and who will be president next
scarcity is a big lie you know
and so i will let you and the others in your ear
live it by yourselves
i was tired anyway
of juggling ponies
and swallowing fireswords
only to your side eyeing
and teetering of your hand
to suggest my missing the mark again
it would be too uncomplicated
for me to play your victim now
i am older than that
i am bigger than you
i was broken when we met
running from some yesterday
and needed a soft place to land
for a time i thought you were that place
and you pretended to be
but the wind from all that running
left me deaf
to red flags waving
and sirens shreeking
i told Spirit i was grown
and i saw what i wanted to see
and She let me
and you did too
so here i am
declaring myself
the source of my own problem
not just you
the yesterdays i ran from
before
i am every liar, cheater, abuser, thief
who has ever sat at my table
drank water from my cup
kissed me between my thighs
and i delete myself
from my molecular structure
and when i forget
the delete button
will be there
again
i suppose
more comfortable women to be around
i guess
there is always a younger booty
flatter stomach
more money
better job out there
i reckon
but hearts like mine come few
i know
i will not take on your load of fear and blame
i will find the freedom i need to make peace
with whats so right now
there is too much talk about
what i dont have
cant do
the ecomony and who will be president next
scarcity is a big lie you know
and so i will let you and the others in your ear
live it by yourselves
i was tired anyway
of juggling ponies
and swallowing fireswords
only to your side eyeing
and teetering of your hand
to suggest my missing the mark again
it would be too uncomplicated
for me to play your victim now
i am older than that
i am bigger than you
i was broken when we met
running from some yesterday
and needed a soft place to land
for a time i thought you were that place
and you pretended to be
but the wind from all that running
left me deaf
to red flags waving
and sirens shreeking
i told Spirit i was grown
and i saw what i wanted to see
and She let me
and you did too
so here i am
declaring myself
the source of my own problem
not just you
the yesterdays i ran from
before
i am every liar, cheater, abuser, thief
who has ever sat at my table
drank water from my cup
kissed me between my thighs
and i delete myself
from my molecular structure
and when i forget
the delete button
will be there
again
Daddy
when the phone rang early like that
i already knew
it was mama and she was cryin
then i knew for sure
"hes...hes..."
he dead huh
cause why put her through
sayin all the words
"you ok?"
yeah im ok
but my daddy was dead
and ask me
i wasnt finished needin a daddy yet
grown as i am and all, but still...
wasnt finished needin some man to say
he was always gon love me and
mean it for real
i called him to tell him
my daddy was dead
and first thing he ax was
did i want him to come over
course i want him to come over
and i said so too
but the quiet lasted too long
so i said no
no you stay there
im ok by myself
i hoped he would know i was lyin
since i had known so many of his
but knowin a lie only matter
if you feel like doin somethin about it
i flew back home
and went straight to his room
called tascha fore i even got on the plane
dont let nobody take his gun
i want that gun
thats my gun
i went straight to the room headin for the closet
but stopped at the bed
next to the bed was a picture of me
taped to the wall
wasnt till right then i knew
it would never be the same again
all grown up or not
i walked to the store and stood in line
and why was the store open anyway
didnt they know my daddy was dead
why the world was planes in the air
and kids at the park
wasnt nothin on the news
about him bein dead
wasnt nobody gon never have my picture
taped next to they side of the bed
my only sister got a husband
so how would she know what that feel like
aquiah got a daddy
so how do she know
she dont
they dont
maybe it aint just me
but right now it is
and thats what matter
tammy say dont be feelin so sorry
for myself
i tell her
this is my space to find
love and peace and the freedom i need to be
and anybody dont
give me room to feel how i wanna feel
in my own space should just go
they should just go
and take they jackets with em
i already knew
it was mama and she was cryin
then i knew for sure
"hes...hes..."
he dead huh
cause why put her through
sayin all the words
"you ok?"
yeah im ok
but my daddy was dead
and ask me
i wasnt finished needin a daddy yet
grown as i am and all, but still...
wasnt finished needin some man to say
he was always gon love me and
mean it for real
i called him to tell him
my daddy was dead
and first thing he ax was
did i want him to come over
course i want him to come over
and i said so too
but the quiet lasted too long
so i said no
no you stay there
im ok by myself
i hoped he would know i was lyin
since i had known so many of his
but knowin a lie only matter
if you feel like doin somethin about it
i flew back home
and went straight to his room
called tascha fore i even got on the plane
dont let nobody take his gun
i want that gun
thats my gun
i went straight to the room headin for the closet
but stopped at the bed
next to the bed was a picture of me
taped to the wall
wasnt till right then i knew
it would never be the same again
all grown up or not
i walked to the store and stood in line
and why was the store open anyway
didnt they know my daddy was dead
why the world was planes in the air
and kids at the park
wasnt nothin on the news
about him bein dead
wasnt nobody gon never have my picture
taped next to they side of the bed
my only sister got a husband
so how would she know what that feel like
aquiah got a daddy
so how do she know
she dont
they dont
maybe it aint just me
but right now it is
and thats what matter
tammy say dont be feelin so sorry
for myself
i tell her
this is my space to find
love and peace and the freedom i need to be
and anybody dont
give me room to feel how i wanna feel
in my own space should just go
they should just go
and take they jackets with em
For Colored Girls
my mom
my sister
me
my nine year old niece
we were there
in line for the 12:50 show
long beach
to see the movie
i saw the play
too long ago
wonder what tyler gon do
what he think he know about
ntozake shange
one of my favorite poets
we walk in and theatre filled
black women
young girls
hip chicks
colored girls
zayikah was there with her daughter kashima
we reach through locks
hug necks and see ourselves
in each others gray temples
i was there up on that screen
i am those issues
those fears
i am that beauty
that fire
that eagerness to love
that rock around my heart
that mouth
that shut up oh please shut up mouth
that silence
that speak up oh say something right now silence
i sat there
no popcorn no soda
closed my eyes
when he dropped the babies
i know that dedication to foolishness
gave him excuses he never deserved
i got them shoulders too
them carry the world shoulders
always gotta mama somebody
got that forgive him
take him back too many times
no good
dont trust myself enough
that was me up there
takin myself back
letting him go
him go
him go
reconnecting myself to myself
myself to myself
we clap during the credits
when we hear nina simone sing
i wear all the colors
as i step into the restroom
hear colored girls confess their issues
black women
long line
we dont mind
all colored girls
we ask each other
how you like the movie
the movie
we dont ask what movie
the movie
we all know
we are those colored girls
reconnecting ourselves to ourselves
ourselves to each other
ourselves to ourselves
my sister
me
my nine year old niece
we were there
in line for the 12:50 show
long beach
to see the movie
i saw the play
too long ago
wonder what tyler gon do
what he think he know about
ntozake shange
one of my favorite poets
we walk in and theatre filled
black women
young girls
hip chicks
colored girls
zayikah was there with her daughter kashima
we reach through locks
hug necks and see ourselves
in each others gray temples
i was there up on that screen
i am those issues
those fears
i am that beauty
that fire
that eagerness to love
that rock around my heart
that mouth
that shut up oh please shut up mouth
that silence
that speak up oh say something right now silence
i sat there
no popcorn no soda
closed my eyes
when he dropped the babies
i know that dedication to foolishness
gave him excuses he never deserved
i got them shoulders too
them carry the world shoulders
always gotta mama somebody
got that forgive him
take him back too many times
no good
dont trust myself enough
that was me up there
takin myself back
letting him go
him go
him go
reconnecting myself to myself
myself to myself
we clap during the credits
when we hear nina simone sing
i wear all the colors
as i step into the restroom
hear colored girls confess their issues
black women
long line
we dont mind
all colored girls
we ask each other
how you like the movie
the movie
we dont ask what movie
the movie
we all know
we are those colored girls
reconnecting ourselves to ourselves
ourselves to each other
ourselves to ourselves
Love after time
Sometimes it’s in the I love yous not said
The noises you make that drive me mad
During sex
Over food
While sleeping
It’s the comfortable familiar of a fart
Uncensored
Not apologized for
Because a fart between lovers is
Not nothing
But something
That says
Welcome to the inside
Of who I am
The good the bad
But lovers know that there is no good no bad
Just love that gets closer and bigger
And comes this close to
Swallowing the other in
Bitsy pieces at a time
Sometimes I am uncomfortable and afraid
But then who is not
Sometimes I want to run far away from this
Whatever it is
Because caring about you takes too much time
(this is an old poem)
Too much energy
And it’s too much hard
To not love you
When you fart
The noises you make that drive me mad
During sex
Over food
While sleeping
It’s the comfortable familiar of a fart
Uncensored
Not apologized for
Because a fart between lovers is
Not nothing
But something
That says
Welcome to the inside
Of who I am
The good the bad
But lovers know that there is no good no bad
Just love that gets closer and bigger
And comes this close to
Swallowing the other in
Bitsy pieces at a time
Sometimes I am uncomfortable and afraid
But then who is not
Sometimes I want to run far away from this
Whatever it is
Because caring about you takes too much time
(this is an old poem)
Too much energy
And it’s too much hard
To not love you
When you fart
Trees
The leaves are changing colors
Green red orange yellow brown
I stand at my window
I cannot stop staring
The leaves are not this color
In Los Angeles
Not this color
Not in the jungle
Not on Adams or Crenshaw
Not on Pico or LaBrea
But right here right now
They are red orange yellow
I stand in front of my mirror
I am changing colors
I have become a tree
A Georgia tree
There are spots of gray at my temples
Brown on my teeth
Charcoal under my eyes
Red clay in my toes
Green in my eyes
Breeze on my tongue
I have become a tree
Where birds nest
And fly away
Where dogs piss
And make their mark
Where God whispers
The angels gather
It is raining now
And that is ok
Because I am a tree
We are made to stand tall through rain
Changing colors
Housing squirrels
It is raining now
And that is ok
The sun will shine
And I will still be a tree
A taller tree
Shading lovers
Forgiving the fearful
I was not this color in Los Angeles
Not in the jungle
Not on Adams or Pico
Not on Western or Slauson
And not on Degnan
And I am still the same tree
Taller
Older
Deeper
More colorful tree
Green red orange yellow brown
I stand at my window
I cannot stop staring
The leaves are not this color
In Los Angeles
Not this color
Not in the jungle
Not on Adams or Crenshaw
Not on Pico or LaBrea
But right here right now
They are red orange yellow
I stand in front of my mirror
I am changing colors
I have become a tree
A Georgia tree
There are spots of gray at my temples
Brown on my teeth
Charcoal under my eyes
Red clay in my toes
Green in my eyes
Breeze on my tongue
I have become a tree
Where birds nest
And fly away
Where dogs piss
And make their mark
Where God whispers
The angels gather
It is raining now
And that is ok
Because I am a tree
We are made to stand tall through rain
Changing colors
Housing squirrels
It is raining now
And that is ok
The sun will shine
And I will still be a tree
A taller tree
Shading lovers
Forgiving the fearful
I was not this color in Los Angeles
Not in the jungle
Not on Adams or Pico
Not on Western or Slauson
And not on Degnan
And I am still the same tree
Taller
Older
Deeper
More colorful tree
What a wonder
You are wonderful
speaking softly to me
in the middle of the night
when i thought i would never sleep
You took away every worry
melted each concern
what wonderful grace
on my journey throughout the day
always a way where i could see no way
i rest and walk assured now
knowing that we are never separated
i applaud You
glorify and magnify
the Is ness of You
only You
always You
You remember to remind me
that i am made of You
my words are not big enough to describe You
not grand enough to sing Your name
I know You
You know me
You breathe Your life in me
I meditate in You
live my life in You
speaking softly to me
in the middle of the night
when i thought i would never sleep
You took away every worry
melted each concern
what wonderful grace
on my journey throughout the day
always a way where i could see no way
i rest and walk assured now
knowing that we are never separated
i applaud You
glorify and magnify
the Is ness of You
only You
always You
You remember to remind me
that i am made of You
my words are not big enough to describe You
not grand enough to sing Your name
I know You
You know me
You breathe Your life in me
I meditate in You
live my life in You
Your judgments
Being a feminist does not mean man hater and a black power fist does not mean white hater.
The thing about writing
Is to sit in the seat
One comfortable for you
I am best at the Lavenderia
On Pico
Just before noon
Something about Los Angeles, Pico, the smell of detergent, noon
That is when my stories come
You find your own
But find them
The thing about writing
Is to tell the truth
Even / especially when it
Doesn’t make you look good
There is no truth about any human being
Without the ugly of it somewhere
The thing about writing is
The story
Spin
Soak
Rinse
Dry
And so what about your looking good anyway
When there is
The story
The tapestry of lines and letters
Words that form
World
Something we can hold on to
Grow from
Re member
Remember
Add soap to and
Wear again
Give me something I can
Connect to
And tell someone else to help her heal
Him heal
What good is your story if it only massages
Your ego / your pocket
So what about yourself
There are others in the world you know
Loving / living / breathing / taking up space on this planet too
You know
Painting, writing, washing
Trying to make ourselves new
I don’t care about your erotic poetry
I don’t want you to make me moan all night
I don’t want to bend in positions
That make me scream for you
Calling your name
So what about your name
I want you to feed me words
Real words I can remember and love
Wrap up in and sop my ugliest tears
Words that don’t wash out
In laundry, on Pico, before noon
One comfortable for you
I am best at the Lavenderia
On Pico
Just before noon
Something about Los Angeles, Pico, the smell of detergent, noon
That is when my stories come
You find your own
But find them
The thing about writing
Is to tell the truth
Even / especially when it
Doesn’t make you look good
There is no truth about any human being
Without the ugly of it somewhere
The thing about writing is
The story
Spin
Soak
Rinse
Dry
And so what about your looking good anyway
When there is
The story
The tapestry of lines and letters
Words that form
World
Something we can hold on to
Grow from
Re member
Remember
Add soap to and
Wear again
Give me something I can
Connect to
And tell someone else to help her heal
Him heal
What good is your story if it only massages
Your ego / your pocket
So what about yourself
There are others in the world you know
Loving / living / breathing / taking up space on this planet too
You know
Painting, writing, washing
Trying to make ourselves new
I don’t care about your erotic poetry
I don’t want you to make me moan all night
I don’t want to bend in positions
That make me scream for you
Calling your name
So what about your name
I want you to feed me words
Real words I can remember and love
Wrap up in and sop my ugliest tears
Words that don’t wash out
In laundry, on Pico, before noon
She dance
and dont even care if they watchin
cause she dance just for the groove
just cause
God gave her two shoes
if you knew better
then you would dance too
cause she dance just for the groove
just cause
God gave her two shoes
if you knew better
then you would dance too
Seasons change
Spring
Your lips next to mine
Your stories made me laugh
I let myself cry
Let myself let go
Let you
Winter
With my poetry
With my words
My music
Myself
Again
I like this me
Too
Again
Your lips next to mine
Your stories made me laugh
I let myself cry
Let myself let go
Let you
Winter
With my poetry
With my words
My music
Myself
Again
I like this me
Too
Again
Writer's prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
Somebody please spell check my blog
Amen
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
Somebody please spell check my blog
Amen
My poetry
my poetry is los angeles
traffic jams and cars goin'
too fast over speed bumps
old school chevys and
crenshaw blvd on sunday nights
about poetry houses
the world stage
da poetry lounge
mic and dim lights
my poetry is jazz in leimert park
5th st dicks
chamomile tea, the moon, and microwaved tv dinners
my poetry is red wine and always
so good food at nailah's
and we let it all out
210 bus
pico
venice beach
pawn shops
gangsta rap
sistas talkin loud
say hell naw and mean it too
brothas hustlin on both sides
of the law
and we eatin the best way we can
my poetry is therapy
like in the middle of the night
i know i can say it all in
a stanza
a page
a chapbook
like the old folks say
it's better out than in
and this is how i get mine out
frustrations
fears
fantasies
prayers
desires
dreams
my journals know it all
they know it all
traffic jams and cars goin'
too fast over speed bumps
old school chevys and
crenshaw blvd on sunday nights
about poetry houses
the world stage
da poetry lounge
mic and dim lights
my poetry is jazz in leimert park
5th st dicks
chamomile tea, the moon, and microwaved tv dinners
my poetry is red wine and always
so good food at nailah's
and we let it all out
210 bus
pico
venice beach
pawn shops
gangsta rap
sistas talkin loud
say hell naw and mean it too
brothas hustlin on both sides
of the law
and we eatin the best way we can
my poetry is therapy
like in the middle of the night
i know i can say it all in
a stanza
a page
a chapbook
like the old folks say
it's better out than in
and this is how i get mine out
frustrations
fears
fantasies
prayers
desires
dreams
my journals know it all
they know it all
Out
getting it all out is the most good i
can do for myself
all out in bitsy pieces at a time
slowly in the wee hours of dark
one stanza at a time
word by word i release
stories
lies
pains
joys
paragraph by paragraph
i let go
to make room
for love
to make room
for me
can do for myself
all out in bitsy pieces at a time
slowly in the wee hours of dark
one stanza at a time
word by word i release
stories
lies
pains
joys
paragraph by paragraph
i let go
to make room
for love
to make room
for me
New
sunday morning phone call
breakfast at cj's
walk on venice beach
drive down the 405
stories about you
stories about me
back into the city
taking it slow
slow
breakfast at cj's
walk on venice beach
drive down the 405
stories about you
stories about me
back into the city
taking it slow
slow
Writing day
it's writing day
my hand is getting cramped
my fingers sore
but i am not finished
there is more inside my head
more memories
more thoughts
more musings
even more songs to share
the music stopped
all of those cds
all of those songs
the music just stopped
and that is ok
because it's writing day
and i wasn't writing to the music anyway
only to the cacaphony
of poems in my head
the dreams while i sleep
the sound the merlot makes
sneaking down my throat
into my stomach
connecting with bread
with cheese
my hand is getting cramped
my fingers sore
but i am not finished
there is more inside my head
more memories
more thoughts
more musings
even more songs to share
the music stopped
all of those cds
all of those songs
the music just stopped
and that is ok
because it's writing day
and i wasn't writing to the music anyway
only to the cacaphony
of poems in my head
the dreams while i sleep
the sound the merlot makes
sneaking down my throat
into my stomach
connecting with bread
with cheese
Their nobody's business love
He sold drugs
People bought and used them
He loved her
She loved him too
He cheated
She cheated
She sold sex
People bought it
She wanted him
He wanted her
Two bedroom apartment in the city
One room for their stuff
One room for their love
He sold drugs
She sold sex
Together
Later
It got to be
More complicated
Than that
People bought and used them
He loved her
She loved him too
He cheated
She cheated
She sold sex
People bought it
She wanted him
He wanted her
Two bedroom apartment in the city
One room for their stuff
One room for their love
He sold drugs
She sold sex
Together
Later
It got to be
More complicated
Than that
Dead stories
if you know, then you already know
if you don't know, then you don't need to know
unless you need to know, and most likely you don't
(dedicated to stories of my past that do not serve the good of the world)
if you don't know, then you don't need to know
unless you need to know, and most likely you don't
(dedicated to stories of my past that do not serve the good of the world)
School ways
I am not ready to write a poem
about children being shot in schools
on playgrounds with teachers
by other students
never prepared for evening reports
flashing bodies, laying babies
crying fathers
broken circles
this is not easy
there aren't enough candles
with pictures of Jesus and Mary
to illuminate my understanding
I am a poet
this is my job
Report the news
about children being shot in schools
on playgrounds with teachers
by other students
never prepared for evening reports
flashing bodies, laying babies
crying fathers
broken circles
this is not easy
there aren't enough candles
with pictures of Jesus and Mary
to illuminate my understanding
I am a poet
this is my job
Report the news
Hearfelt
I've grown up from then
from the girl who couldn't see past
her own hurt feelings
past her broken ness
I'm bigger than before
wiser than my yesterday
I am new from mistakes I made
My heart is bigger now
See?
There is so much room for love inside of me
I have no coversation for
What you did
What I said
What you took
How I left
There is only now
This moment
This path I'm on
This foot in front of me
This one
in front of this one
in front of this one again
Over and over until
I have covered the planet
with every essence of love
I have to give
This breathing is better
Don't you think?
from the girl who couldn't see past
her own hurt feelings
past her broken ness
I'm bigger than before
wiser than my yesterday
I am new from mistakes I made
My heart is bigger now
See?
There is so much room for love inside of me
I have no coversation for
What you did
What I said
What you took
How I left
There is only now
This moment
This path I'm on
This foot in front of me
This one
in front of this one
in front of this one again
Over and over until
I have covered the planet
with every essence of love
I have to give
This breathing is better
Don't you think?
Seeing love everywhere today
speaking love
to you
about you
to me
about me
seeing love
in you
all of you
in me
all of me
all day
to you
about you
to me
about me
seeing love
in you
all of you
in me
all of me
all day
This new chapter
this is the next chapter of the journey
the next foot in front of the other
inhale new air
let go fears
create my world
from nothing
from no past
no yesterday
create my world
from creation
there is art all around
photos of this world
this whole world
stories about this world
poems
films
documentaries about this world
this whole world
I am still standing
I am standing new
two feet
God's feet
there is no place that I can be that God is not
no place that God has never been
new now
this chapeter of the journey
the next foot in front of the other
inhale new air
let go fears
create my world
from nothing
from no past
no yesterday
create my world
from creation
there is art all around
photos of this world
this whole world
stories about this world
poems
films
documentaries about this world
this whole world
I am still standing
I am standing new
two feet
God's feet
there is no place that I can be that God is not
no place that God has never been
new now
this chapeter of the journey
Seems like
people act out in our lives
according to our core conversations about them
our inner conversations about relationships
keep creating our relationships
keep destroying our relationships
if what we say
in the deep recesses of our minds
is that men lie, cheat, leave
then why are we surprised each time
if we keep telling ourselves
that women are
greedy, selfish, takers
why are we angry
again
what are we saying
about ourselves
right now
to show up in someone else's life
tomorrow
according to our core conversations about them
our inner conversations about relationships
keep creating our relationships
keep destroying our relationships
if what we say
in the deep recesses of our minds
is that men lie, cheat, leave
then why are we surprised each time
if we keep telling ourselves
that women are
greedy, selfish, takers
why are we angry
again
what are we saying
about ourselves
right now
to show up in someone else's life
tomorrow
Because we don't
ask for what we want
give away what we think we need
care
love
forgive
remember
forget
let go
hold on
lift up
connect
give away what we think we need
care
love
forgive
remember
forget
let go
hold on
lift up
connect
On love
I wonder sometimes about love
The easy and hurdles
The where and how comes
Baggage and free space
I remember
I remember it all
I'm still standing
I'm still strong
The easy and hurdles
The where and how comes
Baggage and free space
I remember
I remember it all
I'm still standing
I'm still strong
Those preaching women
Those preaching women
Dangerous in their courage
Standing in the face of no agreement
Speaking to an audience of turned heads and whispered mouths
Those preaching women
Praying and baking and reading and fighting
Those remembering women
With backs straight and heads high
Twisted fingers and ashy knees
Those beautiful women
Locks and afros
Blondes and browns
Blacks and reds
Those chocolate of many hued women
Those moving women
Still in the middle of the night
Listening to God's voice
Knowing Her tenor
Swinging to His alto
Those old young women
Wise and words
Building and tearing down bridges
Breaking and repairing bones
Filling the space of broken circles
Those mothers and friends
Aunties and big mammas
Sisters and teachers
Those prophesying women
With word from the Lord
Those scary women
Who know good when they see it
Smell a lie when they taste it
Call a foul when they feel one
Conjure blessing when they need one
These are our beloved preaching praying loving women
Whether we love them or not
Listen or not
Care or not
These are our women always praying
Always connecting
These are our women
Holding life for us
To be
Dangerous in their courage
Standing in the face of no agreement
Speaking to an audience of turned heads and whispered mouths
Those preaching women
Praying and baking and reading and fighting
Those remembering women
With backs straight and heads high
Twisted fingers and ashy knees
Those beautiful women
Locks and afros
Blondes and browns
Blacks and reds
Those chocolate of many hued women
Those moving women
Still in the middle of the night
Listening to God's voice
Knowing Her tenor
Swinging to His alto
Those old young women
Wise and words
Building and tearing down bridges
Breaking and repairing bones
Filling the space of broken circles
Those mothers and friends
Aunties and big mammas
Sisters and teachers
Those prophesying women
With word from the Lord
Those scary women
Who know good when they see it
Smell a lie when they taste it
Call a foul when they feel one
Conjure blessing when they need one
These are our beloved preaching praying loving women
Whether we love them or not
Listen or not
Care or not
These are our women always praying
Always connecting
These are our women
Holding life for us
To be
Los Angeles
Chicken asada con verde sauce
Hawthorne
Sunday
Number 40 Metro bus to the end of the line
Taco trucks and flowers for sale on the corner
Cold sodas by the can
No water no ice with that
Six tables small space
Meat stand and market to the right
We all familia
The English speaking Mexican brother
Helps me explain
I want aluminum foil to wrap what's left of my burrito
"It was good"
I rub my stomach
"Too big"
I spread my hands as if I am measuring an infant baby
"Ohhh"
She laughs and hands me the foil
She she smiles at me and thanks me for coming
As if I am visiting another country
"Bye bye" she waves again
As I opened the door to leave
I felt like maybe I was in another country
Burrito as big as a baby
Smiling server who was happy I came
Said bye bye when I left
Hawthorne
Sunday
Number 40 Metro bus to the end of the line
Taco trucks and flowers for sale on the corner
Cold sodas by the can
No water no ice with that
Six tables small space
Meat stand and market to the right
We all familia
The English speaking Mexican brother
Helps me explain
I want aluminum foil to wrap what's left of my burrito
"It was good"
I rub my stomach
"Too big"
I spread my hands as if I am measuring an infant baby
"Ohhh"
She laughs and hands me the foil
She she smiles at me and thanks me for coming
As if I am visiting another country
"Bye bye" she waves again
As I opened the door to leave
I felt like maybe I was in another country
Burrito as big as a baby
Smiling server who was happy I came
Said bye bye when I left
Now love
When I am not my highest self
I forget to remember you beautiful
I am caught up sometimes
In the in the human of my life
And you are always there
Breathing through the it with me
I never thought of it like this before
Never been mellifluous like this before
You inspire me to be my favorite me
The me I most adore
So remind me lover please
Sometimes when I forget
That you are only here to love me
And I to love you back like that
And why don't you forget?
you always seem connected
To the you you came to be
You are just wind like that, I guess
Better than I will be, I suppose
This is the grown love I was looking for back then
When I ask myself where you been
I remember that you could not show up in my space before
Because I hadnt been who I was looking for
Before
I forget to remember you beautiful
I am caught up sometimes
In the in the human of my life
And you are always there
Breathing through the it with me
I never thought of it like this before
Never been mellifluous like this before
You inspire me to be my favorite me
The me I most adore
So remind me lover please
Sometimes when I forget
That you are only here to love me
And I to love you back like that
And why don't you forget?
you always seem connected
To the you you came to be
You are just wind like that, I guess
Better than I will be, I suppose
This is the grown love I was looking for back then
When I ask myself where you been
I remember that you could not show up in my space before
Because I hadnt been who I was looking for
Before
Hot water
In all of the world right now
my favorite place to be is
the Korean spa downtown
Normally I would mention the name and location
because I like specifics in my poetry
but there are no friends
I want to join me here
by accident or intention
When I am here
I am here alone
There are Korean women next to me
watching their Korean shows on the flat screens
They are there
But tey are not at the same time
I come often so they are use to me
To them perhaps
I am here
and I am not at the same time
Mostly I love to go late at night
or early in the morning
when it is quiet
and the water is too hot for most people
but not for me
Well, for me too
but I can get comfortable in hot water
It's a skill I developed early in life
my therapist said
I get used to hot water
It's what has me stay in relationships
longer than I should
The water is scalding
and I am wading around
with Negro spirituals in my head
Until I look up one day
and my skin is crawling off my body
Then I know it's time to go
I sit in the hot tub for as long
as I can stand it
get out and relax in the chairs just above
watch the steam float off my body
I should be able to resist saying
I let off steam
I can't
I am the same corny third grade girl
I always was
Shower time again
I let the hot water hit my back
hard
Dry off and go into the sauna
The steam is good for my skin
I think
Steam is good for my dreams
I think
I can't handle the sauna as long
as I can the hot tub
but I stay as long as I can
Shower again
Wash away the sweat and steam
I get my water my notebook my pencils my ipad
Go to the rest area
where there are the biggest
most comfortable softest most reclinable
lazyboys ever
I begin a new story new prose
The wi fi is free and sometimes
I browse the internet
mostly I write
I don't know if it's the
sweat the steam all the showers
the hot hot water
but I love what's coming out of me
and into my journals
Well, I don't love it all
but there is freedom in the release
freedom in telling the stories
The abortion the miscarriage the breakup
The marriage in my early twenties
to a man too full of rage to listen
to anything outside the nonsense of
his own revolution
and so was I
so we fit
until the water got too hot
My son my nephew and niece
My mother my sister my friends
God
the balance of my life
Poetry art the busses and trains
The planes the clubs
the diners the wine
the music the kiss the rain
It all comes out in the hot tub
the sauna the shower
I do love my life
looking back on all of it
I wouldn't choose to be anyone but me
I love hanging out with myself
Knowing and loving me more every day
I know hot now when I feel it
I don't need another relationship
that makes my skin crawl
I have let off enough steam
Dreamed enough good dreams
to recognize
too hot from far away
and not to go near
my favorite place to be is
the Korean spa downtown
Normally I would mention the name and location
because I like specifics in my poetry
but there are no friends
I want to join me here
by accident or intention
When I am here
I am here alone
There are Korean women next to me
watching their Korean shows on the flat screens
They are there
But tey are not at the same time
I come often so they are use to me
To them perhaps
I am here
and I am not at the same time
Mostly I love to go late at night
or early in the morning
when it is quiet
and the water is too hot for most people
but not for me
Well, for me too
but I can get comfortable in hot water
It's a skill I developed early in life
my therapist said
I get used to hot water
It's what has me stay in relationships
longer than I should
The water is scalding
and I am wading around
with Negro spirituals in my head
Until I look up one day
and my skin is crawling off my body
Then I know it's time to go
I sit in the hot tub for as long
as I can stand it
get out and relax in the chairs just above
watch the steam float off my body
I should be able to resist saying
I let off steam
I can't
I am the same corny third grade girl
I always was
Shower time again
I let the hot water hit my back
hard
Dry off and go into the sauna
The steam is good for my skin
I think
Steam is good for my dreams
I think
I can't handle the sauna as long
as I can the hot tub
but I stay as long as I can
Shower again
Wash away the sweat and steam
I get my water my notebook my pencils my ipad
Go to the rest area
where there are the biggest
most comfortable softest most reclinable
lazyboys ever
I begin a new story new prose
The wi fi is free and sometimes
I browse the internet
mostly I write
I don't know if it's the
sweat the steam all the showers
the hot hot water
but I love what's coming out of me
and into my journals
Well, I don't love it all
but there is freedom in the release
freedom in telling the stories
The abortion the miscarriage the breakup
The marriage in my early twenties
to a man too full of rage to listen
to anything outside the nonsense of
his own revolution
and so was I
so we fit
until the water got too hot
My son my nephew and niece
My mother my sister my friends
God
the balance of my life
Poetry art the busses and trains
The planes the clubs
the diners the wine
the music the kiss the rain
It all comes out in the hot tub
the sauna the shower
I do love my life
looking back on all of it
I wouldn't choose to be anyone but me
I love hanging out with myself
Knowing and loving me more every day
I know hot now when I feel it
I don't need another relationship
that makes my skin crawl
I have let off enough steam
Dreamed enough good dreams
to recognize
too hot from far away
and not to go near
In my room
There is a queen sized bed
Gray carpet with white paint
The repairman spilled in the corner
The landlord may or may not replace it
A red and beige cover
I pretend is a rug
Wood chest of drawers
Holding my clothes
On top of it sits my makeup and jewelry
There is a dark wook bookcase
Holding my books
Pictures of my son
Nephew and niece
My mother
My father's obituary
My journals of dreams and
Everyone I need to forgive
There is no door on my closet
I like it that way
My shoes are lined up perfectly
Coats and sweaters hanginig
Art supplies on the top shelf
Laundry basket on the floor
There is a dresser
With more clothes and winter scarves
On top of it
A mirror
A rock I found somewhere years ago
It follows me everywhere now
A painting of a beautiful woman
With a yellow flower in her hair
And words on her chest that read
Pray until something happens
Gray carpet with white paint
The repairman spilled in the corner
The landlord may or may not replace it
A red and beige cover
I pretend is a rug
Wood chest of drawers
Holding my clothes
On top of it sits my makeup and jewelry
There is a dark wook bookcase
Holding my books
Pictures of my son
Nephew and niece
My mother
My father's obituary
My journals of dreams and
Everyone I need to forgive
There is no door on my closet
I like it that way
My shoes are lined up perfectly
Coats and sweaters hanginig
Art supplies on the top shelf
Laundry basket on the floor
There is a dresser
With more clothes and winter scarves
On top of it
A mirror
A rock I found somewhere years ago
It follows me everywhere now
A painting of a beautiful woman
With a yellow flower in her hair
And words on her chest that read
Pray until something happens
Stories outside
I sleep with my window open
Even when it's cold
I like to hear the sounds
The noise outside
Stories beneath me
When I saw the place the first time
The landlord said
It's usually real quiet
Just like this
That's ok
I told him
I'll take it anyway
Even when it's cold
I like to hear the sounds
The noise outside
Stories beneath me
When I saw the place the first time
The landlord said
It's usually real quiet
Just like this
That's ok
I told him
I'll take it anyway
Shopping
He said he wanted to take me shopping
I jumped in the car
'Cause I do want a few things
I told him
Where ever you wanna go
He said
Thank you
Go straight and turn left at the light
Right here?
Yeah, right here
Ohhhhh, yeaaaa baby!
I know, right!
Where you going?
No, the art supply store
NEXT to Victoria's Secrets
I jumped in the car
'Cause I do want a few things
I told him
Where ever you wanna go
He said
Thank you
Go straight and turn left at the light
Right here?
Yeah, right here
Ohhhhh, yeaaaa baby!
I know, right!
Where you going?
No, the art supply store
NEXT to Victoria's Secrets
Amil about Shaka
Naw, it got all messed up. You didn't hear? No, he aint there no more, he locked up. Yep. You know he was homeless for like six months or some shit like that right? Yep. No, he wan't stayin' with her. She just let him take a shower sometime. He was sleepin' downtown somewhere. I dropped him off down there three fo times maself.
He started messin' 'round with Olivia and then she let him move in with her. She shoulda known that was gon go bad. Everybody else could see it I don't know why she caint. Some women so desperate to have a man they don't be thinkin' straight.
You know Melvin was trippin'. His mama messin' 'round with a man he know aint no good for her. But he know she grown an' aint nothin' he can really do about it. You caint tell her nothin'. You know how yall women is.
Melvin come by one night and they was arguin' and Melvin say it look like Shaka was gon hit Olivia. Even Olivia say he wasn't finna hit her but Melvin see what he see you know. Ax me, Shaka whatn't gon hit her. Melvin just want a reason to start somethin' with em.
But he say to this day he saw him step up on her and was gon hit her.Iss kinda a coincidence though, don't you thank? The minute Melvin come in that's when Shaka was gon hit her? I don't know. Don't nobody know but them three.
Anyway, then Shak and Melvin git into it and Melvin git all pissed off at Olivia 'cause she yellin' at him and tellin' him to git out they house and mind his own business. Course that don't do nothin' but make Melvin act even crazier 'cause his mama choose this dude over him.
Shak say Melvin was the one that was finna hit Olivia so he went and got his gun out the garage. He say he tole Melvin to juss leave so it won't be no more mess. Melivin slammin' shit on the floor an' pullin' pictures down off the wall. Shak and Olivia screamin' at him to leave, then he threw a vase that almost hit Liv in the head. Then Shaka shot him. Course the police come out and Shak had warrants and shit.
Melvin better be glad it was Shak, 'cause I wouldna juss hurt em. Iss all messed up. Shak still in jail and Melvin layin' up in the hospital eatin' jello or some shit and Olivia by herself again.
He started messin' 'round with Olivia and then she let him move in with her. She shoulda known that was gon go bad. Everybody else could see it I don't know why she caint. Some women so desperate to have a man they don't be thinkin' straight.
You know Melvin was trippin'. His mama messin' 'round with a man he know aint no good for her. But he know she grown an' aint nothin' he can really do about it. You caint tell her nothin'. You know how yall women is.
Melvin come by one night and they was arguin' and Melvin say it look like Shaka was gon hit Olivia. Even Olivia say he wasn't finna hit her but Melvin see what he see you know. Ax me, Shaka whatn't gon hit her. Melvin just want a reason to start somethin' with em.
But he say to this day he saw him step up on her and was gon hit her.Iss kinda a coincidence though, don't you thank? The minute Melvin come in that's when Shaka was gon hit her? I don't know. Don't nobody know but them three.
Anyway, then Shak and Melvin git into it and Melvin git all pissed off at Olivia 'cause she yellin' at him and tellin' him to git out they house and mind his own business. Course that don't do nothin' but make Melvin act even crazier 'cause his mama choose this dude over him.
Shak say Melvin was the one that was finna hit Olivia so he went and got his gun out the garage. He say he tole Melvin to juss leave so it won't be no more mess. Melivin slammin' shit on the floor an' pullin' pictures down off the wall. Shak and Olivia screamin' at him to leave, then he threw a vase that almost hit Liv in the head. Then Shaka shot him. Course the police come out and Shak had warrants and shit.
Melvin better be glad it was Shak, 'cause I wouldna juss hurt em. Iss all messed up. Shak still in jail and Melvin layin' up in the hospital eatin' jello or some shit and Olivia by herself again.
Johnny had green eyes (from journal entry 3-22-94)
jane and johnny was the cutest couple on the westside
that's where i lived
janes brother worked at the corner store an' he usta give us free stuff
sometimes like noworlaters and sunflower seeds and pickels
jane and johnny always was holdin'hands an when everybody
was around he would kiss her on the lips and hit her on the butt an' laugh
i know she was mad but she aint never said nothin'
all us knew johnny had his faults but all us knew that
beyond all them was the johnny loved jane
what none of us includin' jane aint never been really able to sit right with was that
johnny had green eyes
he was the coolest boy in school the baaadest dresser
he could play basketball an' he had a little smarts too
but johnny had them damn green eyes
that nobody could stand
johnny didn't hang around with none of the other boys our age
'cause they still played tetherball an' blocked off the streets
on summer saturdays to have relay races
an' the girls was cheerleadin' on granddaddy's grass
johnny hung around with his brothers n nim
but jane knew all the cheers and she could shake it to the east
and shake it to the west
better n any us cold
but johnny had green eyes
then one saturday mornin' after angelas slumber party
we all was eatin' grits and eggs and angela's mama an' auntie
was in the room whisperin'
then her mama came out fake smilin' with tears in her eyes
she said she read some sorrowful news in the paper this morning
she said whycome all these kids gots ta carry these guns
an' where they gitten 'em from anyway
an' she tole us if she every caught us wit' one she would
beat our tales with it
the she tole us they found johnny and janes body in the park
and johnny was holdin' a pistol
all us was sad but aint none of us cried
seem like we knew somethin' the grown folk aint know
paper said that johnny shot jane and then pulled the trigger on himself
but all us knew whatnt no gun what killed jane
it was johnny's green eyes
(4-30-11 Glad I found this poem because it was a real experience and I would like to edit it -greatly- and use it again)
that's where i lived
janes brother worked at the corner store an' he usta give us free stuff
sometimes like noworlaters and sunflower seeds and pickels
jane and johnny always was holdin'hands an when everybody
was around he would kiss her on the lips and hit her on the butt an' laugh
i know she was mad but she aint never said nothin'
all us knew johnny had his faults but all us knew that
beyond all them was the johnny loved jane
what none of us includin' jane aint never been really able to sit right with was that
johnny had green eyes
he was the coolest boy in school the baaadest dresser
he could play basketball an' he had a little smarts too
but johnny had them damn green eyes
that nobody could stand
johnny didn't hang around with none of the other boys our age
'cause they still played tetherball an' blocked off the streets
on summer saturdays to have relay races
an' the girls was cheerleadin' on granddaddy's grass
johnny hung around with his brothers n nim
but jane knew all the cheers and she could shake it to the east
and shake it to the west
better n any us cold
but johnny had green eyes
then one saturday mornin' after angelas slumber party
we all was eatin' grits and eggs and angela's mama an' auntie
was in the room whisperin'
then her mama came out fake smilin' with tears in her eyes
she said she read some sorrowful news in the paper this morning
she said whycome all these kids gots ta carry these guns
an' where they gitten 'em from anyway
an' she tole us if she every caught us wit' one she would
beat our tales with it
the she tole us they found johnny and janes body in the park
and johnny was holdin' a pistol
all us was sad but aint none of us cried
seem like we knew somethin' the grown folk aint know
paper said that johnny shot jane and then pulled the trigger on himself
but all us knew whatnt no gun what killed jane
it was johnny's green eyes
(4-30-11 Glad I found this poem because it was a real experience and I would like to edit it -greatly- and use it again)
Excerpt from my novella THE NIKEL
Chapter 2
The melodic sound of the rain early early that morning fell on the trees, the roof, against the window, made Obrey think of the rabbit. The crackling thunder brought the desire for warm strong arms around her body and the smell of the empty merlot glass at the side of her bed made it even more tempting. Unlike the strong arms, the pink rabbit was always there. Always. Whether she was moody or not, shaved her legs and armpits and painted her nails or not, had done fifty sit ups the night before or not. It called from the cherry wood nightstand with three deep drawers and a lock that held her journals, secrets, bills, prayers, sketches, receipts, taxes, taxes! She rolled over and pulled open the top drawer and wondered where her favorite vibrator could be, then remembered that she threw it away with the box of silk and cotton scarves Amad had given her. On birthdays, Christmases, New Years Days, apology days, just because days.
She was angry and he would pay. She couldn't remember what the fight was about that day. Or was it a fight? No. It wasn't a fight. Not a fight at all. It was a message. Clear, straight from the trees. Stop fucking with him. Of course messages from Spirit had never come so crass before and maybe this was not from above after all. Still, she would momentairly obey. Who needed him? Red ones, blue ones, white ones. Not the white ones. The white ones too. They were her favorite of all the scarves he had given her because they reminded her of her mother. But they had to go in the box and even the rabbit. Yes, even the rabbit because this was serious and she needed to teach him a lesson. Obrey needed to show him that she didn't want him. Needed to show herself. But that was then. And on that night when she wasn't angry anymore, but missed him in her bed, wanted him there, wanted to talk, wanted to talk and not talk and make up, the rabbit was gone too.
The melodic sound of the rain early early that morning fell on the trees, the roof, against the window, made Obrey think of the rabbit. The crackling thunder brought the desire for warm strong arms around her body and the smell of the empty merlot glass at the side of her bed made it even more tempting. Unlike the strong arms, the pink rabbit was always there. Always. Whether she was moody or not, shaved her legs and armpits and painted her nails or not, had done fifty sit ups the night before or not. It called from the cherry wood nightstand with three deep drawers and a lock that held her journals, secrets, bills, prayers, sketches, receipts, taxes, taxes! She rolled over and pulled open the top drawer and wondered where her favorite vibrator could be, then remembered that she threw it away with the box of silk and cotton scarves Amad had given her. On birthdays, Christmases, New Years Days, apology days, just because days.
She was angry and he would pay. She couldn't remember what the fight was about that day. Or was it a fight? No. It wasn't a fight. Not a fight at all. It was a message. Clear, straight from the trees. Stop fucking with him. Of course messages from Spirit had never come so crass before and maybe this was not from above after all. Still, she would momentairly obey. Who needed him? Red ones, blue ones, white ones. Not the white ones. The white ones too. They were her favorite of all the scarves he had given her because they reminded her of her mother. But they had to go in the box and even the rabbit. Yes, even the rabbit because this was serious and she needed to teach him a lesson. Obrey needed to show him that she didn't want him. Needed to show herself. But that was then. And on that night when she wasn't angry anymore, but missed him in her bed, wanted him there, wanted to talk, wanted to talk and not talk and make up, the rabbit was gone too.
Deja
my niece lives basketball
softball
soccer
she loves to play
in a crowd of Mexican boys
she is the brown shinned
black girl whizzing by
with ball at foot
braided black hair
small mouse face
holding brown wide eyes
eager to know
are we there yet
star of every show
pink tights
cloth boots
bows and head bands
belts and bell bottoms
she dance to whatever tune you play
aint got no shame about it
no matter the crowd
breathes beyond the fear
at any fight
stands a foot under her brother
but taller than any tree you name
long legs
hoop dreams
Deja is a river
racing through
grades
sports plays
Sundays
she spins, turns and skates
grass
flowers
houses
birds
she swoop through the street so fast
Deja is the sun
laughing at the wind
crying with the worms
park
beach
school
church
home
sky
thunder
unicorn
fairy
this world is small
Deja can hold this globe
betwen the space
in her teeth
we better hope
she don't bite down one day
we can learn something from Deja
how to play
when to cry
why to laugh
always to forgive
loving to be
softball
soccer
she loves to play
in a crowd of Mexican boys
she is the brown shinned
black girl whizzing by
with ball at foot
braided black hair
small mouse face
holding brown wide eyes
eager to know
are we there yet
star of every show
pink tights
cloth boots
bows and head bands
belts and bell bottoms
she dance to whatever tune you play
aint got no shame about it
no matter the crowd
breathes beyond the fear
at any fight
stands a foot under her brother
but taller than any tree you name
long legs
hoop dreams
Deja is a river
racing through
grades
sports plays
Sundays
she spins, turns and skates
grass
flowers
houses
birds
she swoop through the street so fast
Deja is the sun
laughing at the wind
crying with the worms
park
beach
school
church
home
sky
thunder
unicorn
fairy
this world is small
Deja can hold this globe
betwen the space
in her teeth
we better hope
she don't bite down one day
we can learn something from Deja
how to play
when to cry
why to laugh
always to forgive
loving to be
The day I saw a man haint
She went down there anyways. I tole her not to go. With all the mangos spread over the floor like they was she shoulda undastood like I undastood but she say aint no haint gon tell her who to love and be happy with and who not to.
Ax me a haint know more than me an' her both know put together. I saw him when he slapped the lemons on the ground and the mangos fell. Yes you heard me right. It was a him! And I saw him with my own eyes. I tole Mama an' she tole me to come on in an' take a cold shower an' rub blessed oil on my body so don' nothin' happen to me.
You know it's true don't you? If you see a woman haint with long hair and a hat on then she just comin' to explain a dream to you that you cain't undastan' or she gon tell you some good numbers or special colors to paint your front door or something that's kinda good.
If she don't have no hat on and she got short hair then it mean that somebody is tryina do you harm an' she a tell you who it is and what to do.
Carole Ann say she saw a haint one time that was a woman who had one long pigtail and one short one and she was wearin' paints and no shirt but I don' believe that. Mama say Carole Ann family always was a fib.
But now if you see a man haint then you gotta listen to everything he say and do it word for word. Then you gotta go home and take a shower and smooth yoself in blessed oil to help you remember or something will happen to you. Don't nobody know for sure if it's something bad or super bad because everybody always do like the man haint say.
Man haints don't usually show theyselfs but if anybody see one then they real real lucky. I saw one. He didn't come to see me. But I saw him just the same. Me and Lacy Grace was runnin' 'round Mr. Peter's market. We was just runnin', runnin', runnin'. He tole us to stop all that runnin' but we didn't pay him no mind.
Me and Lacy Grace both had turned ten the month before that. She say now that she was two numbers she could wear some grown up lipstick on her face and have a boyfriend if she want to. Her mama didn't say so, but she say so. Lee Robert ax her to come over past the field and meet him by the big trees and give him a kiss since she was old enough to wear lipstick.
I tole her Lee Robert don' know nothin' about tellin' her to meet him nowhere and he just turn ten years old four months before us hisself. She say Lee Robert tole her he love her in Sunday School an' she was gon sneak off an' give him a kiss in the field.
Everybody know that a kiss in the field is badder than a kiss behind the school or the church but she say she wanna field kiss with Lee Robert. Say she was gon leave when we left the market.
That's when we saw the man haint. Only us saw him look straight at Lacy Grace and point his long skinny fingers an' say she bet not go lookin' for no field kiss an' take her tail straight home. Then he slapped the pile of lemons but it was the mangos that fell. Mr. Peters was standin' right there lookin' straight through the man haint but he thought it was me and Lacy Grace knocked 'em all down with our foolishness. But it wasn't our foolishness at all. It was the tall man haint with no hat and no hair. Mr. Peters didn't believe us. He said we both was a fib 'cause ain no man haint gon waste his time comin' way down to see two fasstail girls.
Lacy Grace ran outta there fast as she could and I look Mr. Peters in the face an' I tell him I wasn' no fass girl an' we did too see a man haint. Lacy Grace was already gon toward the field and I took off too. To take my shower and tell Mama.
Ax me a haint know more than me an' her both know put together. I saw him when he slapped the lemons on the ground and the mangos fell. Yes you heard me right. It was a him! And I saw him with my own eyes. I tole Mama an' she tole me to come on in an' take a cold shower an' rub blessed oil on my body so don' nothin' happen to me.
You know it's true don't you? If you see a woman haint with long hair and a hat on then she just comin' to explain a dream to you that you cain't undastan' or she gon tell you some good numbers or special colors to paint your front door or something that's kinda good.
If she don't have no hat on and she got short hair then it mean that somebody is tryina do you harm an' she a tell you who it is and what to do.
Carole Ann say she saw a haint one time that was a woman who had one long pigtail and one short one and she was wearin' paints and no shirt but I don' believe that. Mama say Carole Ann family always was a fib.
But now if you see a man haint then you gotta listen to everything he say and do it word for word. Then you gotta go home and take a shower and smooth yoself in blessed oil to help you remember or something will happen to you. Don't nobody know for sure if it's something bad or super bad because everybody always do like the man haint say.
Man haints don't usually show theyselfs but if anybody see one then they real real lucky. I saw one. He didn't come to see me. But I saw him just the same. Me and Lacy Grace was runnin' 'round Mr. Peter's market. We was just runnin', runnin', runnin'. He tole us to stop all that runnin' but we didn't pay him no mind.
Me and Lacy Grace both had turned ten the month before that. She say now that she was two numbers she could wear some grown up lipstick on her face and have a boyfriend if she want to. Her mama didn't say so, but she say so. Lee Robert ax her to come over past the field and meet him by the big trees and give him a kiss since she was old enough to wear lipstick.
I tole her Lee Robert don' know nothin' about tellin' her to meet him nowhere and he just turn ten years old four months before us hisself. She say Lee Robert tole her he love her in Sunday School an' she was gon sneak off an' give him a kiss in the field.
Everybody know that a kiss in the field is badder than a kiss behind the school or the church but she say she wanna field kiss with Lee Robert. Say she was gon leave when we left the market.
That's when we saw the man haint. Only us saw him look straight at Lacy Grace and point his long skinny fingers an' say she bet not go lookin' for no field kiss an' take her tail straight home. Then he slapped the pile of lemons but it was the mangos that fell. Mr. Peters was standin' right there lookin' straight through the man haint but he thought it was me and Lacy Grace knocked 'em all down with our foolishness. But it wasn't our foolishness at all. It was the tall man haint with no hat and no hair. Mr. Peters didn't believe us. He said we both was a fib 'cause ain no man haint gon waste his time comin' way down to see two fasstail girls.
Lacy Grace ran outta there fast as she could and I look Mr. Peters in the face an' I tell him I wasn' no fass girl an' we did too see a man haint. Lacy Grace was already gon toward the field and I took off too. To take my shower and tell Mama.
Blue and Hannah
Hannah is sitting on the pillows spread in the corner of the hard wood floor with her back against the pillow against the beige wall. Long day at work. Long shower after. She is waiting. With vodka and tuna on wheat, light mayo. Onions. Celery. Black 'n' mild on the coffee table in front of her. Daring her to reconnect. Love Jones dvd. Nia Long, Larenz Tate. Vodka.
She sleeps through the scene when Bill Bellamy tells Nia to walk home, 'cause that's nobody's favorite part. Blue's timing is always right. Step, step, step, step sixteen more times then key. Open door.
"There she is."
"Hey you."
Blue is a clock. Jacket off. Close door. Lock door. Shoes. Deep breath. Blue doesn't move with hurry in his feet. But he gets there. Down next to her. Puts her head in the palm of his hand. His chin is the cieling she has been waiting for all day.
"Can we talk?" He has that voice. That voice that swallows time.
"Want me to turn the movie off?"
"No. Not talk talk. Just...say words."
She sleeps through the scene when Bill Bellamy tells Nia to walk home, 'cause that's nobody's favorite part. Blue's timing is always right. Step, step, step, step sixteen more times then key. Open door.
"There she is."
"Hey you."
Blue is a clock. Jacket off. Close door. Lock door. Shoes. Deep breath. Blue doesn't move with hurry in his feet. But he gets there. Down next to her. Puts her head in the palm of his hand. His chin is the cieling she has been waiting for all day.
"Can we talk?" He has that voice. That voice that swallows time.
"Want me to turn the movie off?"
"No. Not talk talk. Just...say words."
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