I Hear You (Hour 12)

I HEAR YOU Don’t speak, precious one. I hear your cry a thousand miles away, the silent tears strangling your throat, burning your eyes. Come, young or old, and lay your head in my arms. My lips against your cheek, as I have so often…

Valley of Bones (Hour 11)

VALLEY OF BONES I have stood upon the mountain tops. I have rested upon the wings of soaring eagles, their feathers of silver and gold a celestial pillow. I have lain slain in the valley of bones, death more than a shadow – holding my…

Snow Whites’ Reflection

Looking deep at her reflection “All these men – what will they think? Eight in total in just one day?  Your reputation is blown no matter what you say  Seven dwarfs and a Prince, you should be ashamed What would make you take an apple…

Mythologizing

  You might write a poem now Proselytizing the omen of my hair Twining in the wind, Telling the world my smile Froze you in your tracks. Later you might paint Medusa Over these features Telling the world you should have Recognized the signs and…

Slave Superstitions

Jump rope twirling Ponytails whirling Jumping singing Voices ringing Step on a crack, break your mother’s back   Black as taboo Down in the bayou Worse than voodoo Hear when they say to you Step on a crack, break your mother’s back   Teardrops no…

No Man’s Land (Hour 10)

NO MAN’S LAND Somewhere between sinner and saint, I reject the black and white brainwashing of religion. There’s too much grey to ignore, too much love withheld, and too much judgement cast. I live between the fine line of being lost and found, stumbling closer…

Where There Is Light (Hour 9)

WHERE THERE IS LIGHT The constant of time is staggering, bewildering, and heartbreaking. So tonight, I will time to stop. I do not ask, I do not beg, I will it. Just for a moment. Let me sit in the stillness of a void I…

No New Home

The sounds just around the corner was a mystery The children listened for nights but still couldn’t solve it They tipped out one evening to see what they could find And just beside the neighborhood pond was a cute surprise The sounds were from a…

Arriving Home

  Frogs. Raincoat, steam percolating. Evening tomatoes, jars. Children elbow: mystery.