Who am I?
It has taken me years to know that I am a queer black feminist who loves the water; whether it be the ocean, a waterfall, a lake, or a river, the form doesn't matter.
Letters from an Island: Part I
As an island
I am reformed
in any image
outside my own…
Passing Through
It was not until my third affair (the wrench in my relationship with Despair), that I began souveniring. In some ways the habit snuck up on me and in some ways it did not. In some ways it was entirely haphazard, wild and almost beyond my control. In some ways, I was totally in control
A Triptych on My Queerness
Even after all these years
I still scared to say these words in public,
still caustous
to let Gay spilt my teeth open
NESTED
My gratitude for your kindness was never expressed
For I was too young to be grateful
Too young to care, understand, or appreciate
You blessed three little girls of color
And valued their mother, a loyal worker for years
Freedom
Basic freedom was denied
And daily I cried.
Labeled as the “weaker sex”
Taunted mercilessly. My soul grew vex.
Wretched. Worthless
An imbecile. Senseless.
Thriving
i flourish
like bougainvillea
that rustles in the breeze
outside my window
pink + plentiful
I Was Eight Years Old
I couldn’t tell her what I had suffered. It was a guarded secret for me. Opening the wounds meant exposing him and by exposing him I left myself bare. Somehow in my eight year old’s mind, I felt the need to protect him and save both of us from the embarrassment
A SONG BY THE BEACH
The ocean quivers
Its heart is warm now
Its aim is as swift, and precise as a tall bird
NOT TO HAVE
A nation to be built
A noble lion as the head
And a graceful lioness
THISTLE
Your nose need not be pinched
For you were made with straight lines
Your beauty is standard
LAUREL WREATHS
As for the little women, their time was up
This day was for the next generation to keep
And lock it away within their memories
DRESSES IN THE CLOSET
I never thought I’d use you
Waiting intentions not placed on you
Your beauty is now utilized
PEARLS TO REMEMBER
Remember, you reap what you sew
You shall be given vineyards you did not plant,
Houses you did not build
VELVETS IN THE FIELD
What they call self-care today
It is we who showed you the way
Today I am six years from 30
da bishop daughta in foreign
marrit to woman wit no babies?
Hot Oil
It was while she was frying plantains one day that she had a thought. She recalled how her mother used to tell her that to get the best results, the oil had to be very hot. “That’s it!” she exclaimed.
Alice
Children live what they learn an’ fi mi muma an’ pupa look like dem frighten fi Alice. Mi sure seh dem nevah suh happy wen me did born but wen Alice come, a one piece a celebration inna di yard.Their naming her Alice-Elizabeth, after some Princess from England and my having been given the archaic name, Dorcas - Esmeralda immediately proved to me that there was demarcation based on the color of our skin.We were of the same race and one blood, so why the difference?