She stayed with
a church hat on
and peppermint candy
in her pocketbook
a razor next to her *****
flashy yet classy
cheetah or leopard print
on the off days
her voice transported
all who heard it
back to kinston, north carolina
with a mouth full of either
***** or green tea
she was an anomaly
she was a blessing
a woman who
stayed awake
to ensure her children
and their children
and their children
would have sweet dreams
dreams that would become
their reality
she was joy personified
unconditional love
i knew her
i loved her
i am her
for she is
within me
i owe her
nothing less than
undying strength
the same strength that
brought her from
the rural banks of kinston
to the cracked sidewalks
of watts
to her own home
in compton
to her final days
in the california desert
the same strength
that carried her back
home
to the loving arms
of God
and her rightful place
in Paradise