When I was younger
I had a hunger
for the sweets
of hard streets.
Spent countless hours
learning flowers
sometimes sprout
in concrete’s grooves.
I was drawn to their
no-bull attitudes.
Tongues sharp like thorns –
natural defenses forming strong
armor (protection against the
wrongs of snake charmers –
those predisposed
to overpower any flower.)
Fiends always scheming;
plotting to devour
the petals of these ghetto blossoms.
How I reveled when I got one –
in the savvy of her game –
in her tactical maneuvers
through her hostile terrain
that filtered out the losers and the lames.
Proving my significant difference
by not calling her out of her name.
See those “Hey shorty!â€
and “Whaddup Ma?†dudes
could never ascertain
the secret that she held
of being an angel in this hell.
Her true identity hidden
behind her shell of wolf’s clothing,
but I chose to see her deeper
than her outward appearance.
Her door knockers and gold teeth were
just running interference –
a diversion for the dawgs
who only saw thick hips at which to paw.
She could tell I saw much more
than the bounty of her drawers
because I spoke to her as such.
So we broke open a Dutch,
switched the contents,
took some puffs to lift us up
over the nonsense.
Shared our dreams and our ambitions
of rising up from our conditions.
I could see that she was digging
having a brotha actually listen
and retain what she was kickin’.
Explored the chambers of her brain.
Opened doors to her heart’s core
and let her passion pour like rain
in our interactions
without judgment or embarrassment.
And just as sweet for me,
was being free to drop my guard
so our spirits could interweave.
It shouldn’t have to be so hard,
but we both came from places
where having your trust misplaced is
a welcome sign for predators
where the adoption of stone faces
is so often ones best first line of defense.
The freedom felt with her
made a brotha feel less tense,
but much more pleasant to be with.
I discovered her presence was needed.
Oh yes, this woman was needed.
I’m so pleased she was willing to feed this
younger man’s hunger.
- HymnAgen