"listen"

I need you as my lover to listen
do not fade into the shadows
stay sturdy to the rhythm
let our's flow to the beat
never slowed by busy bodies

listen, I need you to remain focused
satisfying me as well as yourself
holding my attention so that
I won't fall too far from your side
never yielding to another's touch
nor wishing for a kiss from some other lips
I want you to remain my lover

listen, the vibe is strong & mellow no tension
hold still be strong
guided by your thoughts of understanding
let patience rule your woman's scorn

never let your vision be blocked
by uncanny characters
hold true as our promised goal nears
you offer your continued faith
in this pleasurable quest
I as your lover offer
the one thing i've accepted me

"the scent of you"

in your absence
I hunger for your gentleness
fingertips gliding along
edges of my human structure
your lips passionately soothing
sensitive spots that weaken
with every touch
your hand pressing thru
my curly wool nape
sending a chill down my spine...

in your absence
I can visualize the last encounter
attempting to subdue my appetite
I reach for the t-shirt
graced with your presence
satisfied with the scent of you
my hunger subsided
I relax, sustaining the aroma
your insatiable scent

"eboni"

east to west, north to south
we cover continents
passing the torch, life lessons
a tradition started when mother Africa was with child
survival: fit I is

hear me, eboni

no coiled/twisted whip is able to crack this back that
refuse not to carry/strap you if necessary
your load ain't heavy
conditioned to take on a world at large
ready to shield young women/men from deadened streets
paved with destruction
black tar riddled in red blood another problem solved
carted off in a zip-locked body bag

nor will you/I allow clenched fists to beat down spirits that
sustain as we strive to gain respect w/o being subject
to terms the belittle/harass/attack a woman's dignity
I accept my position as woman
women of color, shades of h.u.e. you represent culturally
it would be easier to turn our backs
but mother Africa would frown upon such an act
so, fuss if you must to keep yours in tact

no, the revolution is not dead in my/your
hood of bonding sisters
this struggle continues for leveled ground
raining thru tainted glass ceilings that
bar equal oppression
hold up the banner: red, black, green
(blood shed thru mother Africa land of loss opportunity)

hear me, eboni

united we stand
with strong tongues & minds that haven't been wasted
our living will not be in vain as we escape shackled pain
because as you/I know behind any man, shadows
a great woman
sister, how long not long

hear me claim your rite to be, eboni

"citizen black"

may I ask of thee
do thou perceive me as the enemy?
one to lie and deceive
this mad world has not harnessed my being
into such an act
survive I must but not thru deceit

the heavens above strengthens my resolve
no mere mortal will destroy
protected by the shield, grace
therefore, go I
hope as my guardian brightens the path
I am human, yet unlike my brethren walk on faith

I seek not to judge, but knowledge to forgive
accept those who struggle to find peace
question the hatred exhibited because of my skin
realizing its my soul you cannot see
therefore, fear the unknown

"silence"

I suffer in silence
watching the seam split.
the elastic stretching it held us together.
I reach out but the glass bubble
floats farther away.
the picture is crystal clear
an impossible dream, deferred.
silence is the nightmare turned reality.
blowing a gust of hollow wind
separating, enhancing the quiet descent
of your out-stretched arms incapable
of snatching my disappearance from your sight.
I suffer in silence as the loud chatter
whisper, it's over, you touch down.

"homeward bound"
(in loving memory of aunt dale)

see not my illness, but my strength
the fight I uphold to sustain
a pounding beat to a heart refusing
to take a seat
my god and I have sealed a pact
I'm not ready for my final act

if I appear restless, I'm thinking back
over a life without shame as I tame
my soul that's quite whole
sister, sister like momma I'll be all right
no need to fret 'bout my life beyond death
I'll meet my maker he'll take me through
my aim is way pass this pain

hallelujah, there's no regret
momma, frankie and uncle jack I'll see across the track
there's no fear, save your tears as time draws near 
I know and you should show, this was meant to be
divine intervention

daugher of mine, grand and great-grand, grandma'
has lived life, you must too, my cycle is complete
if there's sorrow you'll get through come tomorrow
weep if you must as I sleep
dad, I'm ready now I'll miss you too
but understand I'm homeward bound
(12/11/98)


"strange"

how can I express to you
(you a total stranger)
the thoughts going through my mind
we haven't been introduced but
somehow I feel as if I already know you
(you a total stranger)
awkward isn't it how we spend time
searching, dreaming, hoping
for someone special to share
time, energy joy, pain
funny, I never thought that special
someone would be a stranger (you)