On the back of a graduation picture
A thousand words
suggested more than suspected
invitations and challenges confused
a journey begun ending
with the words your friend
I’ve kept the photo
for no understanding
a practical woman my sister
had said you’ll need someone
long before reading your voice
Was it me or you who called
when I drew the curtains
offered incense
just time to brush my teeth
before making out
on a plastic covered couch
neither of us heard the key
Mom went to her room
took off tired shoes
called me and said
get that out my house
I said she’s a woman
I never told you that
when I told you to go
I should have told you that
II
We held hands and watched Carson
your leg over mine
talking drinking vodka and orange juice
waiting for your folks to fall asleep
when my hand would find
the small of your back
the inside of your thigh.
I guess your mama knew
your daddy told
or kept secrets
I expected him to beat me
for loving you
Did your momma say ritual things
sing songs of womanhood
scar you.
Your smile made music
and I wrapped myself in it
as often as I could.
III
Propped on an elbow
I watched you breathe
my hand traced your breasts
smiling on my back
I watched the ceiling
as if it were the sky
finished my drink and showered hoping
you would wake
find me clean
next to you
The doorbell rang at dawn
and I embarrassed
mumbled some excuse I went
nowhere but left
He enjoyed the telling
and described you better than I could
I remember turning volcanic
until he said I wish
I painted watercolors
and didn’t know art
until I watched you walk.
There is a lot of controversy about a white woman’s painting of Emmett Till now on display at the Whitney. MY NICKEL IN THAT QUARTER: The cruel, brutal, torture and lynching of a young black boy because of lies and racism in America needs to be told as often and as loudly as possible so it won’t happen again. You know the expression, “Never Again”. When is the Black community going to embrace that slogan. We need to stop marginalizing ourselves by saying only we can feel the pain and then thinking the inflictors will apologize. They need to understand pain. They need to show us they do. I get the arguments about privilege and access but someone needs to tell the story. We need to make sure everyone gets it right.
Fried Chicken & Philosophy 