thrones of commoners

 

Sewn together by sinews of courage
bathed in valor of heroes, blessed by Mothers' sacrifice
the body politic of democracy proudly wears
the scars of age and battle, and the crown of
every human's right to equality.

To defeat the strong one
the Devil binds her hands

Bonds made in the darkest night
when hearts yearned for peace not found;
faith was formed in the face of the rising sun.
When, like dawn, freedom wing spread to soar
over yawning chasms of dread.

A nation rose to grasp for greatness
measured by the thrones of commoners
by moments of nobility
that broke the chains of slaves. It lives
to make life plentiful.

Those that seek to defile the ground
made sacred by solemn vows of me to thee,
and thee to all else, can find
that they sow upon a Providential wind,
and will reap a bitter darkness.

jealousy

 

how i envy the air that gently touches your cheek,
makes your eyes blink in and out
as you make the moments I miss;
I have jealousy
for the water sips that wet your lips,
for the moon glows that crowd your sight
in the gaze at stars and discovery.

Such jealousy, I should be ashamed.
But insist, when i look at your deep water eyes,
and the longing there, i know
i have no blame;

it remembers...

i have known the sweetness of your touch,
 the warmth that climbs from the goodness of your spirit
to glow into my eyes. I have seen the sunrise
in our greeting
and the dull fall of dusk in your leaving.
The sad sound of mourning doves fill
the air that covered us as one.
In the echoes of woman sounds, moments
when we raced the round whirl of night unto day
shoulders and knees, breath unto breath, and
whispers through pressed lips.

I have known, and my skin, it remembers

Jefferson's Shadow

In a conversation about Negroes,
a dream erupts between the solemn thoughts;
given a sight of this day what would they say
that lived with chains and punishment?

I feel the deep recoil as they see themselves
In the modern eye that cannot find the bridge
Where faith guided each step,
and only the hope for those to be
Filled their present emptiness.

I feel the pride of prophesy
When, as if drop by drop, their forgotten prayers came true
Though ripped by dogs and hatred;
Torn by evil that hid in plain view.

A conversation about Negroes cannot withstand
The urge to laugh and cry; the nobility we should have
The inheritance trust, proofed the good of mankind.
When the blood that found fire
‘Neath marks of blue and grey, commingled
for a cause uncertain, a nation gave birth
To a greater self.

A conversation about Negroes distilled a crucial essence
Of a found truth in words meant for everyone else;
that the utterances of freedom and joy-
spoken by self-appointed royalty, caught drops from sky and courageous eyes-
Came to gather and flow into an endless, deep river.
Carrying freedom within breaths of a doubtless vision
On its slow meander into a boundless sea.