i dare you, i dare me

stiletto blues

I walked to that corner where 

music played matcher maker with our footsteps

and you placed a magnolia in my hair. 

I walked back there-

where we first locked eyes, 

kissed, held hands, and laughed

like high school sweethearts.

I walked there. 

Alone. 

After I stood in a full length mirror 

wearing pride on my chest,

I welcomed a stride of seduction---

drew circles in confidence and hugged my curves.

I even introduced my lips to a new color, 

loosened up the curls of my hair, 

and laced my hips in a black peplum dress.

I walked there---out of my home of lilac scent

with my guard glued to my bronze skin.

With no chin kissing shoulder,

I paid condolences to this

once upon of time love---

permitting it to rest in peace

forever....

i dare you, i dare me

Truth is

if it came

down to our 

last day on earth,

my solo soul 

would call yours 

“the one”

to "ride and die" with.

After lip-syncing to each other,

winding our hips to Beres Hammond

and Bob Marley and the Wailers, 

my limbs remained stiff 

and concealed in your vicinity. 

Truth is

next time we share a kiss,

soft conversations and 

hold hands in your bed ---

I dare your daring spirit to ask.

I dare myself to answer.

I dare us to set our souls free 

until they touch places

no other lover had the urge to.

DelegantOne

Legacy in My Lap

Blue-black memories stroke my mind

as you tell me stories that were hidden

from our roots and fruits of life.

You pause in between memories of a

single cross scorched by the peach tree

your grandparents planted one summer in

memory of their first born.

The same tree where your Uncle Henry head hung low.

You were nine at the time

and like everybody in Baton Rouge---

nobody knew the price of ole Henry’s blood

or how your brother's face greeted the waters

of the Mississippi River Delta.

You said nobody knew but the devil that

haunted his soul and the angel that prepared a

sweet chariot to swing him home.

Your worst enemy was Jim Crow.

Your greatest memory was Ruby Bridges;

‘cause all you wanted to do was learn how to

count and spell so you could teach your people.

Reach ...

Desperate Times

Every season mirrors winter now.

More than a few hearts boil a fire

from the breaking news of the day.

And if you listen close,

each cry is the anthem

to the world's broken blues.

And if you look closer,

every headline is bold and black,

chilling with terror.

And if you stand too close,

You'll become cornered by war times war

and baptized by the blood from the streets---

even with the loving

requesting love in these

desperate times.

DelegantOne