Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Heart of a Woman (For Maya Angelou)


On Friday
for only $1
she called to me through her book
sitting on the shelf  alive waiting to be heard
what a price for such wisdom
On Monday
I heard her message
through the pages of her story
amazed and intrigued
leaving the book resting on a red pillow
not knowing that on Wednesday
she would be gone
and although we never met
I’m glad she spoke to me all the way to page 106
and I listened





Thursday, May 1, 2014

bring back our girls

bring back our girls
lives that cannot be thrown away
tossed out like garbage
like unripe fruit
picked before its time
flowers that never had a chance to bloom
bring them back
so they can flourish
they need the chance to breathe
and not inhale the foulness of old men’s breath
or feel unclean hands
and hear words not meant for their ears
bring our girls back
they are not just our future
but our present
their presence matters
to somebody
even if not to you
find them
like precious jewels in Nigerian caves of
aquamarine
emerald
amethyst
garnet
tourmaline
topaz  
zircon
and sapphire
search for them
they are wondering
they are waiting
hoping
praying
crying
wailing
for someone to come to their rescue
please



Mornings

On dark mornings
I layer my delicate frame in silk and linen garments
that shield me from the eyes of ravenous wolves
in sheep’s clothing
whose predatory instincts trail the scent of fresh femininity
causing them to commit crimes against womanhood.
With no man to protect me from their heinous ways 
As I walk through empty alleys and streets where they lie in wait for me
I hide in the shadow of the Almighty
becoming invisible
only the light that surrounds me is seen
and I go on my way without fear
knowing that I am safe.