I.
He smiles at me in the dark
as if well pleased with his conquest.
Naked, intertwined in moonlight
Original Black to American brown.
He tells me stories of places
I only dream about.
Africa lives in his tongue.
His mouth tastes sweet.
Each kiss is a path to the unknown.
We find our way home in the fit of our bodies.
As if the nap and curl of my locks tangled between his fingers
Reminds him of the clinging Earth in Nigeria.
I trace maps of longing for the Motherland down his spine.
Embrace him like the Atlantic.
Until memories of the Middle Passage are dissolved
in our coming.
II.
I am discovering what it means to be an American girl
through his eyes.
This life I have taken for granted.
These blessings I give no daily thanks for.
The freedom I disdain, and clamor about political injustice.
Pale in comparison to corruption, wars, slain heroes and the
struggle of our people across the water.
Still he smiles, flashing ivory, as if invincible.
My heart sinks into despair.
Surrendering my romantic vision of Africa, against his living testament.
He reminds me there is still beauty in the land of my ancestors.
Our people are survivors on both shores.
We speak hope, and wrap love into hard words, wanting so much more
for our kindred.
III.
72 hours ago
We did not exist to one another.
God shines on the unsuspecting.
I have come to appreciate Sundays
in a new way.
Yearning to find a piece of myself
in the lilt of his Yoruba accent.
Discover the history hidden
in the glide of his hands down my hips.
I am no mystery to myself
when reflected in his eyes.
There is comfort in the curve
of his arm.
Holding my heart in my palms.
I wonder if this is what it feels like to find
Home.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
P.A.D. #4: A Place Called Nowhere
I am the queen of no destination relationships
Lingering long after good byes should be spoken
Logic does not dictate my course of action
I am a crash course of follies
The princess of impracticality
Skipping pebbles like possibilities
and random lovers.
If the moment feels right
I am along for the ride
Until metal crunches into burning corpses
I weep in the ashes
Already knowing the atrocity that awaits
My inability to be alone.
Foolish to be such a smart girl.
Grown woman with the need
to spontaneously combust her heart
into crimson confetti.
Repeatedly picking up the pieces like record scratches.
Text book definition of insanity.
One day I will honor myself
with more than this martyrdom.
Stop sacrificing in the moment
with no long term reward.
Love responsibly instead of recklessly.
Treat my heart as blue chip stock
investment.
Allowing no money changers in my temple
Unless your portfolio has proven you
worthy beyond all reproof.
Lingering long after good byes should be spoken
Logic does not dictate my course of action
I am a crash course of follies
The princess of impracticality
Skipping pebbles like possibilities
and random lovers.
If the moment feels right
I am along for the ride
Until metal crunches into burning corpses
I weep in the ashes
Already knowing the atrocity that awaits
My inability to be alone.
Foolish to be such a smart girl.
Grown woman with the need
to spontaneously combust her heart
into crimson confetti.
Repeatedly picking up the pieces like record scratches.
Text book definition of insanity.
One day I will honor myself
with more than this martyrdom.
Stop sacrificing in the moment
with no long term reward.
Love responsibly instead of recklessly.
Treat my heart as blue chip stock
investment.
Allowing no money changers in my temple
Unless your portfolio has proven you
worthy beyond all reproof.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
P.A.D. #3: A Queen's Abdication
I have become impatient
with being your lady-in-waiting.
This love is no royal court.
I find your throne unoccupied,
and I tire from your wars.
Waiting for blackened roses to be cast
at my feet.
You dangle vines of possibility in their place.
When I have accepted the death knell.
King amongst men,
but absentee husbandman.
How is a Queen to survive
40 days and nights on promises broken?
Let us die in this wilderness,
so that I am free to return to loneliness.
That blessed empty solitude
I am accustomed to.
At least it does not deceive
with visions of happiness often abandoned.
I fear you will not take notice of my leave.
The crown of thorns by the bed side.
The scent of tears and my imprint
on sheets that is foreign to our infrequent lovemaking.
Farewell to these arms.
An embrace half endured.
May the streets be lined with feathers
for your footfalls always away from me.
I have nothing to offer
but stained glass memories.
These will never be dusted by broken into pieces.
Placed in a black box and remanded to a pauper's grave.
You will not visit, and I will bless you for this.
Not to taint the one resting place
where we finally are at peace.
with being your lady-in-waiting.
This love is no royal court.
I find your throne unoccupied,
and I tire from your wars.
Waiting for blackened roses to be cast
at my feet.
You dangle vines of possibility in their place.
When I have accepted the death knell.
King amongst men,
but absentee husbandman.
How is a Queen to survive
40 days and nights on promises broken?
Let us die in this wilderness,
so that I am free to return to loneliness.
That blessed empty solitude
I am accustomed to.
At least it does not deceive
with visions of happiness often abandoned.
I fear you will not take notice of my leave.
The crown of thorns by the bed side.
The scent of tears and my imprint
on sheets that is foreign to our infrequent lovemaking.
Farewell to these arms.
An embrace half endured.
May the streets be lined with feathers
for your footfalls always away from me.
I have nothing to offer
but stained glass memories.
These will never be dusted by broken into pieces.
Placed in a black box and remanded to a pauper's grave.
You will not visit, and I will bless you for this.
Not to taint the one resting place
where we finally are at peace.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
PAD #2: Friday Sunday
God has a sense of humor
Answering my infrequent requests with quirky replies.
Such as sunshine and a brother
named Sunday.
He knows I don't observe holy days
Yet he reminds me good things can be observed
Any day of the week.
No walls of stone and tongues of brass necessary.
Just a simple thank you for a glance my way,
and a reason to smile.
Answering my infrequent requests with quirky replies.
Such as sunshine and a brother
named Sunday.
He knows I don't observe holy days
Yet he reminds me good things can be observed
Any day of the week.
No walls of stone and tongues of brass necessary.
Just a simple thank you for a glance my way,
and a reason to smile.
Friday, April 1, 2011
PAD #1 Haiku - Cheap Booze, Bad Woman
Don’t trust bitches
Named after cheap liquor
It’s bad taste like their name sake
Named after cheap liquor
It’s bad taste like their name sake
Thursday, March 31, 2011
National Poetry Month Etiquette
Greetings Fellow Poets,
In the last few years I have moved from sharing my NPM/NapoWrimo/Poem A Day poems on Blogger and Myspace accounts to Facebook. The problem with sharing on FB during the 30/30 challenge is that every one seems to lose their minds in an ecstatic attack of tagging. I tried in vain to keep up with the many poems and to leave responses, but at some point my strength failed me, and honestly there were quite a few people who tagged me, that I was deeply uninterested in reading. The creative rigors and demands of National Poetry Month are already exhausting with out the added irritant of a "tag attack."
You and I can't possibly write a poem everyday AND be expected to respond to the hundreds of other poets posts too. Therefore I propose The National Poetry Month Etiquette. This year for the sake of your sanity and mine, and please feel free to pass this along to other poets, here are a few rules of thumb to manage and survive NPM 2011 on Facebook:
1. An-tag-onization
With 30 days and 30 poems at your disposal don't feel the need to tag people daily. Every poem does not need to be tagged. Instead of drawing attention to your piece and attracting responders you are actually annoying and repelling them with excessive tagging. Show a little restraint, and you will make Facebook and your friends happier during NPM 2011.
2. Tag with caution
While we may think every last one of our pieces are epic masterpieces in the making, let me assure you they are NOT. If you must tag, then be choosy. Pick your best piece to share and tag those whose feedback and opinion you value. It's not very likely that you will get a response from a random FB friend that you ignore the other 11 months of the year. Be kind and considerate to your fellow FB writers by rotating tag detail. Tag one set on select pieces, and then tag other friends on other pieces, that way everyone get's a chance to partake of your creative offerings.
3. It's called Read a Poem, Write a Poem for a reason
No one likes a tag attention whore. Share the love by reading and responding to other people's poems before hitting them with a barrage of your own. Take some time to check out new writers besides your standard favorites. You might be pleasantly surprised and come across some finger snapping dopeness or receive inspiration from an unexpected source. One of the great pleasures of NPM is the awesome outpouring of diverse writings from different people. People are more inclined to respond to your work if they see you have taken the time to read theirs.
4. Shallow responders need not reply
"That's deep" and "Dope" are typical and banal replies. You're a poet, I know we can do better than this. No one expects you to write a testament or critical analysis in response to their piece, but more invested responses are appreciated. Try to give fellow writers respect by offering constructive criticism, genuine praise, or props for a well written poem. If you don't have time for extended replies, that's cool, but leave a little love after reading. It means a lot to me and your fellow posters.
5. Tag Reaction Time
Just because you tag a person, does not obligate them to read or respond to your piece. With news feeds racing at a million miles per second on FB, your post might just get missed. Don't take it personal. Give people some time to make it over to your post. If you don't get a billion responses consider quality replies over quantity. And if you don't get any at all don't let it break your brilliant streak. On to the next one. You have 30 days and 30 poems to write someone's socks off so be patient.
That being said be creative and have fun! I look forward to reading many great poems!
PS. This is the most excessively tagged post you will receive from me this month. Promise! LOL!
In the last few years I have moved from sharing my NPM/NapoWrimo/Poem A Day poems on Blogger and Myspace accounts to Facebook. The problem with sharing on FB during the 30/30 challenge is that every one seems to lose their minds in an ecstatic attack of tagging. I tried in vain to keep up with the many poems and to leave responses, but at some point my strength failed me, and honestly there were quite a few people who tagged me, that I was deeply uninterested in reading. The creative rigors and demands of National Poetry Month are already exhausting with out the added irritant of a "tag attack."
You and I can't possibly write a poem everyday AND be expected to respond to the hundreds of other poets posts too. Therefore I propose The National Poetry Month Etiquette. This year for the sake of your sanity and mine, and please feel free to pass this along to other poets, here are a few rules of thumb to manage and survive NPM 2011 on Facebook:
1. An-tag-onization
With 30 days and 30 poems at your disposal don't feel the need to tag people daily. Every poem does not need to be tagged. Instead of drawing attention to your piece and attracting responders you are actually annoying and repelling them with excessive tagging. Show a little restraint, and you will make Facebook and your friends happier during NPM 2011.
2. Tag with caution
While we may think every last one of our pieces are epic masterpieces in the making, let me assure you they are NOT. If you must tag, then be choosy. Pick your best piece to share and tag those whose feedback and opinion you value. It's not very likely that you will get a response from a random FB friend that you ignore the other 11 months of the year. Be kind and considerate to your fellow FB writers by rotating tag detail. Tag one set on select pieces, and then tag other friends on other pieces, that way everyone get's a chance to partake of your creative offerings.
3. It's called Read a Poem, Write a Poem for a reason
No one likes a tag attention whore. Share the love by reading and responding to other people's poems before hitting them with a barrage of your own. Take some time to check out new writers besides your standard favorites. You might be pleasantly surprised and come across some finger snapping dopeness or receive inspiration from an unexpected source. One of the great pleasures of NPM is the awesome outpouring of diverse writings from different people. People are more inclined to respond to your work if they see you have taken the time to read theirs.
4. Shallow responders need not reply
"That's deep" and "Dope" are typical and banal replies. You're a poet, I know we can do better than this. No one expects you to write a testament or critical analysis in response to their piece, but more invested responses are appreciated. Try to give fellow writers respect by offering constructive criticism, genuine praise, or props for a well written poem. If you don't have time for extended replies, that's cool, but leave a little love after reading. It means a lot to me and your fellow posters.
5. Tag Reaction Time
Just because you tag a person, does not obligate them to read or respond to your piece. With news feeds racing at a million miles per second on FB, your post might just get missed. Don't take it personal. Give people some time to make it over to your post. If you don't get a billion responses consider quality replies over quantity. And if you don't get any at all don't let it break your brilliant streak. On to the next one. You have 30 days and 30 poems to write someone's socks off so be patient.
That being said be creative and have fun! I look forward to reading many great poems!
PS. This is the most excessively tagged post you will receive from me this month. Promise! LOL!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Advice for Future Lovers
1.
When a woman is prepared to grant you the desires of your heart
Consider it with the seriousness of staring down the endless barrel of a loaded gun
Do not speak words of love, if there is uncertainty in the forethought.
Loving is a decision, not by default.
2.
Young mortals are on uneven ground with Goddesses.
Do not attempt to make her your own because you are enchanted.
If you cannot accept her as a woman when her glamour becomes flesh
Leave before she falls for your humanity.
Its easier to daydream than live with her in reality.
The Queen could not crown a royal bastard King
When he did not recognize his own reflection
No matter how many times she offered the mirror
All so broken and unable to live in peace.
Sweet beds do become bitter battlefields.
3.
Be grateful to leave a woman without scars.
If she has allowed you to leave with your dignity intact
Respect her.
Let no strange women speak or treat her carelessly.
Honor her enough to keep her good name whole.
Whores are not for the keeping of company
Or you will find yourself despised and outcast among those you once called friends.
4.
In the event you should grow into a man.
Find yourself and discover the world outside of you
The next time a woman offers her heart
Be ready with open palms
Know your own mind
So that you do not confuse hers.
Be a rock and not the shifting sand.
5.
Remember this poem
When you suffer your first real heartbreak.
When you wish for comfort.
When you miss the warmth of a sincere embrace.
Think back to the haven you left
To find your manhood.
Thank God for being able to feel and finally understand
That all things worth having require sacrifice
Especially when it hurts.
When a woman is prepared to grant you the desires of your heart
Consider it with the seriousness of staring down the endless barrel of a loaded gun
Do not speak words of love, if there is uncertainty in the forethought.
Loving is a decision, not by default.
2.
Young mortals are on uneven ground with Goddesses.
Do not attempt to make her your own because you are enchanted.
If you cannot accept her as a woman when her glamour becomes flesh
Leave before she falls for your humanity.
Its easier to daydream than live with her in reality.
The Queen could not crown a royal bastard King
When he did not recognize his own reflection
No matter how many times she offered the mirror
All so broken and unable to live in peace.
Sweet beds do become bitter battlefields.
3.
Be grateful to leave a woman without scars.
If she has allowed you to leave with your dignity intact
Respect her.
Let no strange women speak or treat her carelessly.
Honor her enough to keep her good name whole.
Whores are not for the keeping of company
Or you will find yourself despised and outcast among those you once called friends.
4.
In the event you should grow into a man.
Find yourself and discover the world outside of you
The next time a woman offers her heart
Be ready with open palms
Know your own mind
So that you do not confuse hers.
Be a rock and not the shifting sand.
5.
Remember this poem
When you suffer your first real heartbreak.
When you wish for comfort.
When you miss the warmth of a sincere embrace.
Think back to the haven you left
To find your manhood.
Thank God for being able to feel and finally understand
That all things worth having require sacrifice
Especially when it hurts.
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