WHAT ZORA SAW
January 7, 2018
ZORA NEALE HURSTON
January 7, 1891-January 28, 1960
WHAT ZORA SAW
you found my drama
under the click of a tongue
in the drum of a dance
mixed up in laughter
that comes too quick
and lasts too long
in a lie told well
and the truth told funny
behind the skin
just left of the grin
out back by the shed
where i keep hoodoo
you found my music
and made me a mirror
mixed the sight of it
with the song of it
held it up
cross your face
and they thought it was a mask
wouldn’t recognize themselves
when they saw their faces in you
didn’t know it was me
when they heard you holler
you set my contradictions down
made them jump up and testify
showed everybody
the loves we have to live for
the fears we need to lose
all we are creating
and every day of our lives
the divine in us still testifies
to the glory you were looking at
when your eyes were watching God.
photo: Google Images
BITE
February 22, 2010
Go ahead.
Take a big bite!
Why nibble round the edges of it?
I promise you:
It is chewy
and crunchy
and salty
at the center.
at the center.
So sweet
it’ll bring
a tear to your eye.
Thank God.
A flying Dutchman…
faulty underpants…
Otherwise,
who knows how many . . .
Expect delays.
Polar bears say
we are warming
Weatherman says
the ‘feels-like’ is
ten below.
Surplus? What surplus?
Deficit now.
Oh God.
A flying American…
faulty tax laws…
How many letters was it?
Consequently-
expect silence.
I know.
You are drained.
You are drained.
What you need
is the sustenance
right there
in front of you
under that veil
the holy man…I mean
the banker…I mean
the statesman…I mean
the statesman…I mean
the teacher…I mean
the bully
pulled over it.
Right there.
Go ahead.
Lift the veil.
Yes.
It is messy.
Viscous.
Squirming.
It looks live
because it is.
Yes.
It is.
Go ahead.
she makes poems 