To Preach of It: An Original Poem

i looked to you to

tell me i was beautiful

life was hopeful

to be faithful

Surrounded | An Original Poem

Uncomfortably warm in my grandmother’s 

home, sitting down to an old lady’s 

dinner of green beans, corn bread and chicken 

casserole. Nothing salted. 

I am surrounded by the women 

who’ve created me, all talking 

at once about who was saved at this Sunday’s 

service, last night’s Lifetime movie 

and weight.

Always weight. 

They compliment my cousin for her loss and 

Grandmother says her neck looked fat 

in a recent picture. 

The dishes are loaded, pots are 

washed, put away. The cards come out and 

they play, slapping at a ten of 

hearts, yelling I want that! 

while silently, actually 

wanting what the other has. 

Her smaller nose or delicate 

hands or her red hair or curly hair or 

her olive skin and always ― always ― her 

thinner waist.  I am bound 

by the women who’ve created me

because I, too, covet 

what the other has. Her courage ― to command 

a life with Paige that 

makes her happy. Her intellect ― to express 

herself in both Spanish and English. Her 

resilience ― to rear 

seven children in 

nine years. Her happiness ― to revel in life despite 

a lifetime of arthritis. 

And her strength ― to hold tight to 

a little girl’s hand as the

cancer won.

Chocolate oatmeal cookies, pink

salad, diet coke, divinity. The games

continue.

I am entangled in the women who’ve 

created me. I am 

surrounded.

Affirmation | An Original Poem

i want for you to know Yourself

be Yourself

love Yourself

who cares about your size

your thighs

the lies we tend to tell ourselves

ways we judge ourselves

ways we shame ourselves

and instead

proclaim Yourself incessant

exclaim Yourself insuppressible

don’t hide from the side of Yourself

that you think others don’t want

and instead

decide what matters ―

the You that needs a voice 

the You that has a choice

should arise

aim for the skies

reside among the stars

because You, my friend, are

luminous

Tweet

The Wishing Star | An Original Poem

We read about it in one of your beginner books. You 
want to wish on a star and on a whim I rush us
out to the porch. Quick! I say, it's cold and you're in a nightgown.


So we squeeze our eyes shut and you wish to be
an artist and I to write a book. Then we lie in the dark, faces
huddled together like girls at a slumber party.


To be a real artist, you explain, means you have the fancy
hat and a messy apron. Can we buy these 
tomorrow so your wish will come true?


Then I tell you that once upon a time I wished on a star. You 
think about this. Did it come true?
Yes, I answer, touching your nose.


You stare for a long moment, your three-year-old eyes
holding mine, for the first time full
of understanding.

Tweet

Playground or Prison | An Original Poem

Ladder!  Yellow slide!  Rock wall!  See-saw!
A little girl swings as she laughs!  Higher!  Higher!


Metal fence.
Wood pile.
Storage shed.
Sod.
A father sweats
pushing
a mower.
Around
and around.

Ode to My Drink | An Original Poem

Love Poem to a Lover Lost | An Original Poem

Basic

You. Me. — We felt so right!  Our hookups filled

my life with such smoky satisfaction,

and oh! you asked for nothing in return.

Except my heart....  My breath...  My lungs....  My life.

Your temptation leaves me speechless! (Exhale)

Fills in me a notion of ease; charges

with lighter fluid, cadmium.  Answers

my ache with ammonia, arsenic —

nourishes me with nicotine.  Lover!

Please, please! — Remind me why I let you go!