death?
an image,
of what would be (or could be).
a projection of the mind.

life?
in the face, against the skin
the raw fact, pulsating
buzz...
the real.

life is
a struggle.
life has to be earned -
each day.
making choices,
reviewing old ones.

newborn's first cry!
the urgency, the hunger,
with which we arrive.

Life&Death is -
a daily affair.
let the meaningful live.
let the pointless die.
each day.
  each moment.
    this very moment.

A flower’s beauty,
may blossom remarkably,
in harsh conditions;
plugging the funnel: nurture,
in light of one’s true nature.

My personified shadow,
I call her Renée.
She experienced the malevolency
bestowed upon me
and released through writing poetry.
My nightly tears on the page,
bled crimson,
in unison, she and me.

She, my personal protector;
taught me the freedom,
within expression,
feeling fearless among oppression,
my pages now read dry.
With anxiety and pain held at bay,
I am to be thankful,
to the personified shadow,
I call Renée.

Dark is to light, as black to white.
When we write, from what place?

I wrote,
dwelling there,
amongst the shadows,
without face; leeching for love,
my cup empty,
heart scattered into pieces.

I write,
divinely guided;
exploring unclimbed mountains,
where weakness and courage elope,
advancing towards freedom,
My cup fills,
healing below the glimmers of hope.

I accept,
my world of black,
as it mends into white,
for I know, what is in the dark,
is to rise to meet light.

I am of the past,
the present, and the future;
reminiscent reflections of incomplete potential.
Never satisfied with the present,
I seek a brighter image.
A confident black woman fulfilled.

Eat at home
Drink at home
Work from home
Love at home
Read at home
Nourish our home
Alone at home
Together at home
Make peace at home
Grow beans at home
Educate from home
Sit and cry
Grow patience
from home at home

past in time
too unaware
before looking
down on
myself

now in time
crystal clear
bias unbound
conclusions come
I’m faulty
of something I
could correct

self reflection
to be aware
keeps me
up at night
playing back
events in time
I could’ve
done right

One day you won’t affect me as much as you do right now
One day I’ll find someone who I can sync with
One day I’ll find someone who loves me
the same way you say you love her

One day you’ll lose the power to make me cry
One day you’ll lose the power to make me feel
One day you’ll be someone else’s problem
One day your love for her will be someone else’s headache

One day I won’t overthink everything you do and say
One day I’ll be in a good, peaceful relationship
away from the violent rocky waves of the sea of You
One day I’ll be happy

And the thought of that one amazing day will keep me going
Through all the days that were made to bring me down

Feel me

Branch out

You live

Apathetically

You’re a charlatan

Who dwells

One sidedly

Dark sidedly

Think you spew vitriolic criticism

Just abysmal blabber

You’re like an infant without wonder

You’re a void for joyousness

You’re incontinent of your blabber

Of your verbal feces

And vile thoughts

Read the room

We’re sick of your ****

The only depth you have

Is how low you make everyone

You’re so dismal

Break free

From your own restraints

And you can scintillate

Beauty can always root

Where horridness once dwelled