Ghazal for Persist
The lights keep talking about a leaving.
They say there are bones too buried to dig up.
Alone, she never quite remembers her name.
So she tattoos, to index finger, letters she never digs up.
Her mouth rattles empty, soundless echoes become home.
The lock, sharpened ivory, puncture ready spells to dig up.
Head low, limbs limp, she slouches against seat.
Contemplates the shreds, gathers them piece by piece, she digs up.
Sips, long slow drags from wet palette martini glass,
Supple lipped, Amethyst, remember tomorrow always comes to dig up.
Riding in Cars with Black Girls Or
Pantoum for Police
Head nod magic trance
Ocean blue afro magic
Blow smoke signals back
Survival wasn’t optional: past.
Ocean blue Afro magic
Bounces to bass anthem
Survival wasn’t optional past
This moment of succulence.
Bounces to bass anthem
Speakers dictate hip wind
This moment of succulence.
Truth seeping out bone.
Speakers dictate hip wind
Survival wasn’t optional past
This moment of succulence.
Head nod magic trance.
biography
