because i am, a poem

I want to write a poem that moves with the cadence and crescendo of an old Negro spiritual; I want to write a poem that reaches into the bowel of humanity in a vise like grip milking out compassion and tolerance; I want to write a poem that shares the test of walking through fire…

on boxes, bad music, and the drive to be more

what if everything you’ve ever been taught about yourself were true? what if you really aren’t good enough? what if you really are too short? or too tall? or too skinny? or too loud? what if everything that has been told to you were the absolute undeniable irrefutable truth of who you are? who would…

rainbow hunting 101 (not just for colored girls)

  i have been holding my breath holding my hands holding this bill holding it back holding it in while holding it down now at this closing stage this ending phase this last part this new start breathing is no longer a luxury there are full minutes of standing still   when you are not…