Poetry

Thoughtful, observational, symbolic, wholehearted

Scroll ↓

“I’ll teach our girls to sing lullabies to her, that “Pretty Pearl,” like Auntie L.E. I’ll teach our boys to pray beside her like Auntie Belle.
And we’ll discover there is nothing more whole than rhythm, steadiness, and brilliance, this beautiful constancy. Our choice to return.

/…/

I’ll teach our future to chase what is Good, even if brief, and swiftly changing, like Auntie Ely in October.”

 

“Mary”

Mary Jane Perry Little 

Birthed Ezell Willie and his brothers. 

And then, Malcom X & me.

All these from one woman—

Her vulnerability raised those boys

Dreams stirred into their porridge 

Like hot honey tucking in for safe keeping

Mississippi couldn’t wrangle her sweet water

Rocking kings to sleep

A prophetess swaddling her legacy 

And speaking glory over and under 

Slaves’ quarters

When I walk, I feel her crawling in my bones, sustaining the journey 

Telling me I am her, 

a new Madonna

Raising kings, God willing.

Has someone cursed your daughters, Mother Mary—turning them to salt

For looking, searching for 

A good man, an enthusiastic companion?

And, like you, only finding 

a collapsing city, a dying wish

Three men buried and a riot on the way?

Previous

Web Content