Penitentiary UP

WHAT I LIKE

It’s just me

But I like manicures with red polish

I like crystal flute glasses imported from France

I like poetry and a

good book to read.

It’s just me

I like cashmere sweaters soft and warm

cotton blouses and bell bottom pants

I like mink collars and coats even

silly jokes

It’s just me

I like all types of music classical to think,

oldies to reminisce, and jazz

to just be in my space with a glass of wine

and a handsome face.

It’s just me

I like to travel to places with nice beaches and

clean clear oceans to stick my toes in the sand

tall mysterious men with

deep penetrating eyes

who love to send flowers and an occasional

nice surpr...

TONE

If my words were too harsh

and my silence was to loud

will my love be enough?

Pleasure

I’m a woman and

through those

scandalous

uncompromisable stages

of my life in which I

deliberately emerged

a woman, sensuous,

soft, loving, aware of my

sensibility to mankind

I bare witness to my

impeccable status.

___Yvonne Coleman-Burney

Justonestoryteller

20th Century Light

 What happened to human kindness?

you know the kind of thing when

a perfect stranger would

hold the door open for you.

The kind of thing called common respect

saying excuse me passing in front of me

Instead, you choose to step on my shoes

and dare me to say anything back.

The kind of thing where we would compromise

while in a debate now all that lies

Is raw hostility of mutual hate.

Kids would pray together in school

teachers would teach them the golden rule

now even the teachers rape and act a fool

and sadly this has become acceptable and cool.

Where’s the love and compassion

for another human being

It just seems we just want to fight

holler and scream

no one ever considering Martins dream?

&nbs...

Red Lipstick

Yes, red is my color and you know that!

I wear it all the time

nails toes and lips unlined

Red’s my signature just for you

Never to forget or get it confused

With another woman’s unwanted kiss

Don’t try to fool me with another kind of

Red because I got this made just for me

and you won’t be able to put that in my head

trick me or say that is mine “oh no honey”

Not this time.

Let me find red lips somewhere it doesn’t belong

And you can best believe mama bear will be

Long gone.

 “Be careful now.”

Next Time

 We tangled before

and the dance was not

finished​

don’t come for me!

I can’t be responsible

for  the entangled web

that will be weaved

of you and me

don’t come for me!

This time might be very

different you might

get your wish…

____Yvonne Coleman-Burney

Message From Her Majesty

People ask me as they come in and out of

my life why my past has not filled me with

strife

I tend to smile a wee too much I

continue to keep screaming kicking my past

in the butt 

I have no time to replace dirt

with dirt I am into healing wounds and

helping the hurt

I figure my path was

pre-destined for me by my heavenly father

initials “G”

As people continue to turn their nose up along

with there back biting stares

I simply continue

to strut my stuff you see

I really don’t care

I was born in a place

hell  I did dwell

but God pulled me through those times

so my love could prevail

I don’t have time for

people who can’t see

and...

Free At Last

I no longer walk in

Dialectic air my head is

Lifted and a regal shade

Of pride I wear.

If I choose to sit on the

Back of the bus one day

And up front the next

There is no longer the

Negative aspects or

Crazy looks.

Free At Last Free At Last

I have a choice of voting

To make my voice clear

Still the famous words of

Wisdom from Dr. King still

Ring peace and freedom

In my ear.

Free At Last Free At Last

I have hope of better days

My determination is paving

My way instead of making

Violent waves

I am no Longer looked at for

The color of my skin but for

The positive content that

Lies withi...

Midnight Cross

The wind blows a scratchy sound

shapeless jack –o- lantern lights

the small room as the wind waits

for midnight.

The limitations unbinding as the

doors open and close to the Negroes

quakers mumbled curses await a

crimson fire.

White hoods lurk in the night to burn

the cross dark hues of fright for no

freedom will be celebrated tonight.

___Yvonne Coleman-Burney

Forensics

Searching me looking

over me through me like

something was missing or

something stolen

Dusting me with powders

to trace any fingerprints

from a heated touch

passions retreat

Even had a search

a warrant said it

gave them the right

to look and search

everything and

everywhere

I asked what they might

be looking for, but they said

they would know when they

found it

Next thing I know they

were staring at me all looking

at me like I had murdered

someone, haunting me

with their stares

I asked what was wrong they

said they found what they were

looking for I said what

and they said I was in the clear

all they found was evidence

of...