I knew of Shirley after she knew me.

The first time she heard me read. 

A poet with great beauty in her words 

and agape in her heart 

she works more jobs in one week 

than I have in a year. 

She told me, much later, 

that she would always hold an open mic slot open 

for me every month. Just in case. 

Shirley is a stirrer of emotions, 

among the kids she coaches. 

Young Identity 

Not so much her baby, 

as a collective of her equals 

no high piety 

no talking down.

Only raising up. 

A phenomenal woman 

among so many others. 

Writes her heart across the page, 

Sparks fire in the hearts of youth, 

gives light to the stage