Travel

Two women waited at a bus stand
The young one wanted to go to Canada
The older one dreamed of New York
The young one said "This place has nothing to offer me, it's a dead end"
The older one agreed as the young one boarded the Bayfield bus
And she went back to Spieghtstown
Still dreaming of New York
I hope they both find destination and destiny
Waiting at the end of the line.

I Could…

I could bloom here

in this concrete soil

with its steel skyline

and endless waves of people walking the pavement

or going underground to get from point A to B to C

sometimes stepping on one another

making no eye contact

but connected at the root

I could get used to climbing several flights of old stairs

crossing the street to do laundry

alongside big butt women

with graying locs

people cussing each other out

in front of China King

and Ma’s old stoop

watching the cat who sleeps curled up in the barber shop window

in the afternoon sun

I could bloom here

in the cold

like a winter rose without thorns

trusting the universe to protect me

from danger

in this concrete soil

rising…

natural

when strange men

touched my afro

i felt helpless

and wanted to run away

it was so violating

to feel hands in my hair

that I didn’t want

fondling and feeling

through my curls and kinks

they said it was so uncommon these days

to see a woman with a natural look

and they were fascinated

couldn't help themselves to bother asking my name

or where i came from

they just wanted to get off

in my hair

one of them wanted to know

if it was virgin

because he had never had one of those before

the other one said

that he was turned on by the smell of coconut oil

it reminded him of being on a deserted island

with just me and him

i didn’t answer

just kept quiet

hoping they would go away

but inside i was angry

wondering why a woman

has to always be subjugated with this brutality

and can’t be herself

without somebody

wanting to touch

feel

and taste

without permission

welcome

my grandmother

always kept a pot of boiling water

on her stove

at all times

she wanted to give a warm welcome

to anyone who came intruding

at odd hours

through a shut window

or a locked door

that pot of water

was her assurance

that whoever showed up

would never forget

what it was like

to go to somebody’s house

uninvited

and next time

be sure to knock

and wait

to be

asked

in

beautiful black girl

 beautiful black girl…

daydreaming of unexpected treasure washed upon the shore

randomly gathering shells and relishing the days of no worries, concerns or cares

beautiful black girl…

innocently digging holes in the sand

running from the waves on bandy legs like a sandpiper bird

never knowing that the waters of life will catch her

soon enough

lost in the motion of her thoughts that carry her heart to distant places

returning with the tide

and going back out to sea again

beautiful black girl…

see yourself as more than what the world says that you are

the thoughts of your Creator towards you outnumber the grains of sand in your pail

how wonderful you are to Him

be true to yourself and to your dreams

and always keep a smile

as you chase the tide

Barbados

I wrote another poem in the sand

with words from space

inspired by the rhythm of the waves

singing and waving in time

with a rhapsody in blue yellow and blue

black trident in the middle

fist raised in pride

for those who stood behind enemy lines

building this land that I now stand upon

never forgetting from whence we came

looking out to the horizon over the Middle Passage

where bodies lie in wait for their vengeance on the Last Day

with no sense of urgency

because in time all will be free

so in the meantime

I write these words

of grace in the sand

inspired by the rhythm of the waves

calling me…

© 2012 PoetryofMotion!

All Rights Reserved

moon dancing

let’s go dancing on the moon

all by ourselves

moving and grooving to the vibration of the stars

catching stardust between our toes

let’s jump from galaxy to galaxy

sky trip above the clouds

and take a lunar expedition

let’s see if there are really any other people out there

in the universe who believe in being free

dancing on the moon with no gravity to hold us down

seeing earth at a distance

from God’s view

let’s go dancing on the moon

all by ourselves

moving and grooving

to the vibration

of

the

stars…

day #22

and this is for my sisters

who have buried countless dreams and realities

never given birth to children and aborted all of their seedlings

buried underground in winter

my sisters

who have walked away from hope because they had no other choice

the ones who stayed because they did

settling for less than they deserved

this is for my sisters

who have put their voices on the shelf

waiting for someone to speak in their behalf

because they are not whole

subjecting themselves to other people’s visions

and demanding nothing in return

my sisters

who are nameless

faceless

ageless

but not helpless

my sisters

Day #8

Ocean Queen
finding her place in the sun
sitting on her throne in the sand…
relaxing on the shore
unafraid of the high tide
she casts her prayers on the waters...
and returns to her place of reign
awaiting God’s answers.

Hairstory...is Published!

      During the 16th Century, Chapbooks were a very popular way for European writers to introduce their short stories, ballads and poems to the community inexpensively.  I am happy to introduce my first publication to you in this way. Hairstory is a 14-page chapbook selection of 10 poems from my Images Emerging I & II Collection, and includes a specially chosen artwork for the theme. For a limited time, I will also include a specially chosen poem with artwork that is suitable for framing with your order. 

     Each chapbook sells for $5.00 + $2.00 S/H within the continental US, but if you are outside of the US, please don't let that stop you. Please contact me for overseas S/H pricing at: urbanartz212@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to sharing my work with the world! If you're local (within the area) e-mail or call me @ (347) 841-6790 ... no shipping charges will be incurred.

     Please scroll down to the Pay-Pal button at the bottom of the screen...and Hairstory will be on its way to you!