T H E G R E E N B O O K O F P O E M S
ELIZABETHINOZ:2057 2025
11FT.1/2IN.X5FT.8IN. 51HOURSHANDSTITCHED METALLICBROCADE, QUILTEDMETALLIC COTTON,AFRICANWAX FABRIC,VINYL,COTTON, GINGHAM,CHENILLE LETTERS,CUSTOM ENAMELPIN
THEGREENBOOKOFPOEMS
CCMERCERWATSON
YOUNG SPIRITS
PURPLE REIGN
AN ARREST IS NOT ENOUGH
PYRE
BLACK BOTANY
ROAD MAP
BLACK CHRISTMAS
STRONG BLACK WOMAN
INSTANTLY
DON’TLOOKBACK
THERE’SONLYONEWAY, WE’REGOINGTODAY, ANDTHAT’STOWARDSFREEDOM, IFYOUJEOPARDIZEMYBAREFEETINTHECREEK, FORLASHINGANDRATIONS, IWILLSHOOTYOU, IWILLBOOTYOUYOURHINDPARTS, IWILLNOTBEDRAGGEDINTOTHEDOLDRUMSOFDENIGRATION, MYLIFEISTOOGREAT, THESTARSGUIDEUSTOVICTORY, THEANCESTORSCARRYOURWEIGHT, UNDERFLOORBOARDS, INATTICSTIGHT, INTHEBARNWITHCATTLE, I’LLRESTTONIGHT, KNOWINGTHATTOMORROWBRINGSAPROMISEOFANEWLIFE, THERE’SONLYONEWAY WE’REGOINGTODAY, ANDTHAT’STOWARDSFREEDOM, IFYOUJEOPARDIZEMYBAREBREASTSONMYCHEST, FORSCRAPINGSANDRAPINGS, IWILLSHOOTYOU, IWILLBOOTYOUINYOURHINDPARTS, IWILLNOTBEHEMMEDINTHEHELLOFOPPRESSIVEHALLUCINATIONS, MYLIFEISTOOPRECIOUS, THEDRINKINGGOURDQUENCHESMYTHIRST, THEGAWDSCOVEROURSCENT, NOSNAKE, WILDDOG, BOAR, ORBEARCANSTOPME,
I’LLRESTTONIGHT, KNOWINGTHATTOMORROWBRINGSAPROMISEOFANEWLIFE, IWILLGOBACKANDGET, ASMANYTHATCANFITONMYJOURNEY, ONLYTHOSETHATHAVETHEGUMPTIONTOFACETHEHURDLES, OFTHISLIFEONTHEROAD, THERE’SONLYONEWAYTHAT WE’REGOINGTODAY, ANDTHAT’STOWARDSFREEDOM, IFYOUJEOPARDIZEMYFREEWILLINTHISLIFELIVED, IWILLSHOOTYOU, IWILLBOOTYOUINYOURHINDPARTS, IWILLNOTBEBAPTIZEDINABRAGGADOCIOUSBONDAGE, IFYOUTURNAROUND, IWILLGUNYOUDOWN, ICAUTIONYOU, DON’TLOOKBACK.
HIGHWAYDREAMING
I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS FOG AND THUNDERSTORMS, AN EERIE AND VOLATILE MADNESS ALWAYS IN THE AIR, DEWY, STICKY, CRIES IN THE SKY, WET SAND BETWEEN MY TOES. TAKE ME TO A PLACE WHERE I AM CONSTANTLY REMINDED OF HOW SMALLIAMCOMPAREDTOMYMOTHEREARTH,ANDHOWGARGANTUANIAMBECAUSEI'M A PART OF IT ALL. I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE I CAN DRINK RUM IN THE MORNING, TWIST MY BABIES HAIR, EAT MANGOES FOR MY BREAKFAST, MAKE MY HUSBAND MY BRUNCH, AND MAKE LOVE TO HIM UNDER TREES THAT HAVE STOOD FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. WALK NAKED ON THE BEACH. PICK FLOWERS IN THE FOREST. DISAPPEAR IN THE FOG.
TAKE ME. I WANT TO LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE DON'T PRY, ONLY SMILE. I WANT TO DANCE UNTIL MY HIPS ARE SORE. MAKE LOVE UNTIL MY HIPS ARE SORE. BIRTH BABIES UNTILMYHIPS ARE SORE. KISS MYHUSBAND TILMYLIPS ARE SORE. I WANTTO BE SO FULL OF LIFE THAT I'M EXHAUSTED AT THE END OF EACH DAY. GINGER BEER LULLS ME TO SLEEP. I SING SONGS TO MY CHILDREN WHILE THEY ARE SERENADED BY A SUMMER STORM OR A WINTER WIND. I WANT TO LIVE IN PLACE WHERE THIS IS POSSIBLE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.IWANTTOLIVEANDMAKEBEAUTIFULTHINGS...
MAKEART.MAKEFOOD.MAKEBABIES.MAKELOVE.
COUNTRYGAL
BUILDMEAWOODHOUSE WITHATINROOF, ANDAMUDFLOOR, ANDACLAYDOOR, IRONSTOVE, WATERWELL, WISHINGPOND, FISHINGLINE, YEMAYA, SHESPEAKQUIETLYTOME, SHANGOYELL, ANDKEEPMEUPATNIGHT, OSHUNDANCEWITHMEINTHERIVER, ISTANDONASTONETHATMARKSTHEPLACETHATIWASBORN, MYFEETBEMUD, MYSKINBESAME, IDREAMINBROWN, DINGYSHEETSBLEACHED, BYTHESUN, THESOUTHISAGENTLEMAN’SHEAT, SPICYINALLTHEWRONGPLACES, THESOUTHALSOBEALADIESFROWN, COLDANDUPSIDEDOWN, ILOVETHEWAYRAINSOUNDSONMYROOF, SOUNDLIKEPENNIESFALLINGONAMARBLEFLOOR, SOMETHINGFANCYANDFRENCH, “LAISSEZLEBONTEMPSROULER”, GOTMEANAUNTIEFROMLOUISIANA, THEYSAYNIGGASISDIFFERENTDOWNTHEREINTHESWAMPS, SHEKNEWAMANWHOSLAPPEDHERMAMA, PLUCKEDAPIECEOFHAIRFROMHISHEAD, WRAPPEDITINBLACKFABRIC, ANDPUTITINANALLIGATOR’SMOUTH, SEVENDAYSLATER, UNDERTHEEERIEDARKNESSOFANEWMOON, THEMANDISAPPEARED, THEYFOUNDHIMINAGATORTRAP, HISBLOATEDBODYWRAPPEDINBLACK, PEOPLEKNEWSHEKNEWTHINGS, MYAUNTIE, ITRUSTHERTOALWAYSLOOKAFTERME, HERANDGAWD,
FOLKSSAYAROUNDHERETHATGAWDISAWOMAN, SEENMOSTCLEARLYONAFULLMOON, TONIGHT, ITHINKISAWHER, LOOKINGATME, GLISTENINGINTHERIVER, HERBABIESBETHETWINKLINGLITTLESTARS, ANDITHINKIWANTTHATMANYBABIES, IWILLGIVEBIRTHTOTHEM, INMYWOODENHOUSE, WITHATINROOF, ANDAMUDFLOOR, ANDACLAYDOOR, BROWNBABIES, BROWNSKY, BROWNSACK, BROWNLIQUOR, BROWNBACK, BROWNPOTATOES, BROWNTRUCK, BROWNBEANS, BROWNTREES, DOWNHEREINTHESOUTH, EVERYTHINGLOOKSLIKEANEWPATCHOFEARTH, GAWDISINDEEDAWOMAN, IDREAMINBROWN.
ONTHEROADAGAIN
WHEREVERYOUARE, LOOKATTHEMOON, IT'SFULLOFYOU, ANDIAMTOO, MYTHOUGHTS, CONSUMEDWITHYOU, LITBYLUNARLIDS, THATCIRCLETHEEARTH, ITMATTERSNOTWHATHASMADEITSROUNDBEFORE... THISNIGHT, ANDEACHONEAFTER, THATISALLTHATMATTERS…
WHEREVERYOUARE, LOOKATTHEMOON, IT'SFULLOFYOU, ANDIAMTOO, MISSINGTHESPHERESTHATCARRYYOURSOUL, IWANTTOLOOKATYOU, ISEEYOU, EVENWHATYOUWON'TREVEAL, IKNOW, ANDILOVEYOUSTILL, ITMATTERSNOTWHATHASMADEITSROUNDBEFORE... THISNIGHT, ANDEACHONEAFTER, THATISALLTHATMATTERS...
WHEREVERYOUARE, LOOKATTHEMOON, IT'SFULLOFYOU, ANDIAMTOO, FLOATINGABOVEYOURDREAMS, CELESTIALBEINGS, LETMETWINKLE, IWANTTOENHANCEYOURSHINE, SHOWMEI'MBEAUTIFUL, LIKEYOU, SOBEAUTIFUL, WISHINGONYOU, ADREAMPREFERRED, ITMATTERSNOTWHATHASMADEITSROUNDBEFORE... THISNIGHT, ANDEACHONEAFTER, THATISALLTHATMATTERS...
WEWERECLOSERTOTHESKY
WEFOUNDTHESUNWHENWETRAVELEDCLOSERTOTHESKY, ITWASABRIGHTBEAMOFHOPE, THECLOUDSBREAKINGANDTHERAINFALLINGBEHINDUS, ADISTANCEMEMORYINOURREARVIEWMIRROR, THELINEOFDEMARCATIONCUTBYAMON’SRAYS, WEGLITTER, WEGLOW, WEWARMOURSELVES, BAKINGUNDERNEATHTHEGLASS, MAGNIFIEDANDEXAMINEDBYGAWD, THEROLLINGHILLS, WITHHUMBLEHAMLETSATHERFEET, WECLIMB, HIGHER, INTOTHEMOUNTAINS, CLOSER, WEBEEVERCLOSERTOTHESKY, USINGOURFINGERSTOCIRCLETHECLOUDS, FINDINGSHAPESOFSWIMMINGFISH, INASEAOFBLUEABOVE, THEOCEANFLOORISTHEAPEXOFTHESUMMIT, ANDTHERE’SSOMETHINGWONDERFULABOUTBEINGTHISHIGH, EVERCLOSER, CLOSERTOTHESKY.
BLACKEXPECTATIONS
BLACKBODIESDROWNONOCEANFLOORS, ANDBLEEDONCONCRETESTREETS, BLACKBODIESROTBEHINDIRONDOORS, ANDLIVEATCITY'SEDGE, DEADEND, DEAD, BLACKBODIESATTHEBOTTOMOFTHEOCEAN, BLACKBODIESPILEUPUNDERLAWENFORCEMENT, BLACKBODIESBEWHYTHEMGUNSTHEYTOTING, BLACKBODIESGOTOSTORESTHATWON'TOPEN, BLACKBODIESSIT-INATCOUNTERTOPS, BLACKBODIESHAVETROOPSTOWALKTHEMINTOSCHOOLS, BLACKBODIES,FROMLICORICETOLEMONDROPS, BLACKBODIESBOMBEDINCHURCHVESTIBULES, BLACKBODIESMAKEMONEYINMISSISSIPPI, BLACKBODIESHANGFROMPOPULARTREES, BLACKBODIES,HASHTAGBLACKBODIES, BLACKBODIES,POLICEPOUNDBLACKBODIES, BLACKBODIESARETOLDTHEYHAVENOTHINGTOLOSE, BLACKBODIESARETOLDWHATTODO, BLACK BODIES, "KEEP YOUR HANDS UP", "KEEP YOUR PANTS UP", "KEEP YOURLEGSCLOSED","KEEPYOURHAIRSHORT", BLACKBODIES,LETUSRECLAIMTHEAUTONOMYOFOURFLESH, BLACKBODIES,LETUSSEEKTHEAGENCYOFOURSOULS, BLACKBODIES,NOMATTERWHATWEARETOLD, LETUSRELEASEOURSELVESFROMOPPRESSIVEEXPECTATIONS, OURVOICESAREACHORUSOFJUSTICE, OURJOYISRESISTANCE,TOO, OURSTRUGGLEISNOBLE, OURVICTORYISINEVITABLE.
SUNSETSINWRIGHTSVILLE
ATRAINRANTHROUGHTHETREES, THESCRATCHINGOFMETALAGAINSTMETAL, LITFIRETOTHEWOODS, ITWASAMONDAY, WEALLRUNAWAYFROMSOMETHING, EMPTYBOXCARS, ANDEMPTYDREAMS, CHASINGTHESUNSETINTOFOREVER, FOLLOWINGTHELIGHTWHEREVERITLEADS, NOTFROMBEINGLOST, OROUTOFDESPERATION, JUSTFORTHELONGINGOFREMOVINGTHECLOAKOFDARKNESS, IWOULDEATTHESTARSIFICOULD, TOBEFILLEDWITHLIGHT, IWOULDWALKONTHESUN, TOGLOWFROMSPACE, IWOULD JUMPTRAINS, LIKEMYDADDYDID, FORADVENTURE, IAMRUNNINGWITHTHATTRAIN, THROUGHTHETREES, INTOFOREVER.
FORTYRENICHOLS
SUNSETSINTHESOUTH
YOUCANCATCHMEONMYSKATEBOARD, GETTINGMYKICK-PUSH-COASTON, INTHATDELTASUN, MELTINGOVERMYBODY, UNTILIDISAPPEARINTOTHENIGHT, THETWINKLINGSTARSRIGHTAFTERDUSKBETHEBRIGHTEST, ANDWHENTOMORROWCOMES, FROMHIGHNOONTOTWILIGHT, YOU’LLCATCHMYSILHOUETTEGLIDINGTHROUGHMEMPHIS, ASPECIALPLACE, BUTTHEYBEENKILLINGBLACKFOLKSTHERESINCE1968, BEFOREANDAFTER, IT’SALLTHESAME, BLOODYBLACKMANEDIESINSTREETS, THEFOOTAGEDOESN’TCHANGEANYTHING, JUSTBURNSINMYPEOPLE’SMEMORIES, THETRAUMA, HOWMANYMURDERSHAVEYOUWATCHEDOFBLACKFOLKS? BEINGSHOT. BEINGCHOKED. BEINGSTABBED. BEINGPROVOKED. EATINGTHEIRSKITTLES. MINDINGTHEIRBUSINESS. ONANAFTERNOONRUN. ORONTHEIRWAYHOME. DON’TMAKEAPEEP. SHOTINOURSLEEP. WENEVERHADTHEPRESUMEDSAFETYWITHINOURFOURWALLS. INSTEADOURLASTWORDSWEREAGONIZINGCALLS, SCREAMINGOUTFOROURMAMAS, OURKIDS, MYPLEAWASBEATOUTTAME,
THEYSAYTHATSOUTHERNTREESBARESTRANGEFRUIT, BLOODONLEAVES, BLOODATTHEROOT, BLOODONTHEBOOT, OFACOP’SSHOE, UNTILMYSOULSEPARATEDFROMMYBEAUTIFUL,BLACKBODY, BUTDON’TREMEMBERMETHATWAY, IHOPETHATYOUWILLWATCHME, ONMYSKATEBOARD, GETTINGMYKICK-PUSH-COASTON, INTHATDELTASUN, MELTINGOVERMYBODY, UNTILIDISAPPEARINTOTHENIGHT, THETWINKLINGSTARSRIGHTAFTERDUSKBETHEBRIGHTEST, ANDWHENTOMORROWCOMES, FROMHIGHNOONTOTWILIGHT, YOUCANSTILLCATCHMYSILHOUETTEGLIDINGTHROUGHMEMPHIS.
ISEEORANGEEVERYWHERE
EARLYMORNING, ASTHEWORLDTURNS, BETWEENTHESILHOUETTEOFTHEEARTH, ANDTHECUMULUSSHADOWOFTHESKY, THEREISABANDOFORANGEWEDGEDINBETWEENTHOSETWOPLACES, FORMILES, HOURS, ASFARASTHEEYECANSEE, THEREISORANGEEVERYWHERE, THISSIDEOFEARTHISSTILLASLEEP, HOWEVERWEAREAWAKETOWITNESSYOURRISINGGLORY, ALINEARBEAMCUTTINGTHROUGHTHEDARKNESS, THEEARTHMAKESHERWAYAROUND, SPINNINGMORETOWARDSTHESUN, THEHOLYONE, LETTHEREBELIGHT, ANDIT’SAWARMORANGEGLOW, NOREL, ICANSEEYOURSOULGLOW, ISEEORANGEEVERYWHERE, I NOTICED THE ORANGE STRANDS BETWEEN THE BLACK AND GRAYIN MY HAIR, AFLECKOFORANGEWITHINTHEBROWNOFMYEYES, ATRAFFICCONE, ABUTTERFLY, ANEARTHWORM’SNECK, FRUITPEELS, CINNAMON, TURMERIC, MYFAVORITEPAIROFCURTAINS, ATEACUPSET, ABOTTLEOFCOLOGNE, THESTITCHESONAPILLOW, ABASKETBALL, ATEESHIRT,INANOLDPHOTOGRAPH,THATYOULIKETOWEAR, I’MTELLINGYOU, ISEEORANGEEVERYWHERE,
LATEEVENING, ASTHEWORLDTURNS, BETWEENTHESILHOUETTEOFTHEEARTH, ANDTHEYAWNINGOFTHESKY, THEREISABANDOFORANGEWEDGEDINBETWEENTHOSETWOPLACES, FORMILES, HOURS, ASFARASTHEEYECANSEE, THEREISORANGEEVERYWHERE, THISSIDEOFEARTHISLIVELY, READYTOEMBRACETHESTARSINTHESKY, BUTBEFOREWEGREETTHEMOON, WEWATCHTHEDAYDISAPPEARINTONIGHT, SUNRISESANDSUNSETSARETHEMOSTBEAUTIFUL, MARKEDBYORANGESANDPINKSANDBLUESANDPURPLES, KISSEDBYGOD, WESEEYOUEVERYWHERE,NOREL, OURBEAUTIFULORANGESUN, NOWWRITTENINTHESTARS.
ANEVENINGSWIM
BLACKBODIESFLOATINOPENWATER, BUOYEDBYANOCEANOFDIABOLICALPAIN, WEHAVEACOMPLICATEDRELATIONSHIPWITHSALTANDSEA, FRESHRIVERSANDCREEKS, PENNYWISE, WEALTHANDSTUPIDITY, “DOWNHERE,WEALLFLOAT”, ACROSSOCEANSONBOATS, ORSNEAKINGIN, FORANEVENINGSWIM, TOFEELTHETHRILLOFACCESS, APOOLCLOSEDOFFTOUS, AWORLDCLOSEDOFFTOUS, JUSTFORBEINGBLACK, JUSTFORFLOATINGONOURBACKS, INOPENWATER, MAYBEWEDROWN, MAYBEWEKICK, MAYBEANYTHINGCANHAPPEN, HOWEVERWENEVERUNDERSTANDAWORLDLIKETHIS, WEFORMGILLSANDWINGS, TOTHESKY, OROCEANTRENCHES, WERETREAT, WHILE OUR GRANDMOTHERS DREAM OF FISHES THAT NEVER COME TO BE.
IHURRICANE
IBEGIN, ONTHEAFRICANCOAST, ICRASHVIOLENTLYINTOTHESHORE, AGAINSTSHARDSOFROCK, OLDERTHANANYTHINGTHATCANBEUNDERSTOOD, THEWINDWANTSTOTANGO, ANDY-2-C, SOWETOSSANDTURNABOUTEACHOTHER, UNTIL, EYE, SEA, ACLAIRVOYANTCIRCLEFORMS, WESPININTOADIZZY, GILLESPIE, IBEGIN, TOBLOW, HARDER, FASTER, ICROSSTHATSEA, MOREWAVES, MOREWIND, LAPINTOMYFUNNEL, ANDSWIRLABOUTME, THREELOCKS, IBE, LADYCALYPSO, BLACKSTORMFROMTHEAFRICANCOAST, IHURRICANEONTHESEHEAUX’S, SPINNINGFURYINTOBREAD,BUTTER,ANDGOLD, WINDANDWATER, IBLOWHARDER, IBEAWOLF, HUFFINGANDPUFFING, BLOWINGYOURHOUSEDOWNTOTHEGROUND, RIPPINGTREESUPBYTHEROOTS, CAN’TYOUFEELTHERUMBLINGOFTHEEARTH, ISHAKE, YOUSHOOK, IQUEEN, YOUROOK, IHOOK, YOUCROOK,
IDESTROYEVERYTHINGINMYPATH, IHURRICANE, THENATURALORDEROFTHANGS, UNTILIREACHAMERICANSOIL, SHEBEBLOODY, PERIOD, SHEBEKILLINGHEROWNBABIES, BABIESTHATSHEONCEOWNED, BLACKBODIESFLOATINNEWORLEANS, NEVERFORGETKATRINA, MYDAUGHTER, IBLOWHARDER, FASTER, THERAINFALLS, TEARSFORMYBABIES, BABIESTHATWERESTOLEN, BLACKBODIESTAKECOVER, CAUSETHEYKNOWWHYI’MCOMING, IHURRICANE, FOREVERYTHANG, THATWASTAKENAWAYFROMME, ICRASHINTOANEWSHORE, OLDENOUGHTOUNDERSTAND, WHYICROSSEDTHESEA, I’MNOTSORRYFORMYANGER, IONLYBESORRYFORTHEHOMESIBREAK, ANDTHELIVESITAKE, ONMYROADTOREDEMPTION, IKEEPBLOWING, KEEPGOING, PRECIPITATEUNTILITIRE, THESUNBREAKSTHROUGH, ITRAYVON, TASTETHERAINBOWRIBBONSINTHESKY, MYTEARSSOAKTHESOIL, FULLOFBLOODANDSOULS, NOMOREWIND, NOMOREWAVES, NOMORERAIN, BUTIWASSTILLHERE, YOUARKANSASME, IHURRICANE.
WHEREAREMY REPARATIONS?
WHEREAREMYREPARATIONS? BEFORECOVID, THEREWASSLAVERY, BEFORETHETRAVELBAN, IWASN’TALLOWEDTOLEAVETHEPLANTATION, INANATIONTHATWILLSTIMULATEPACKAGES, BEFOREPEOPLE, WHEREAREMY40ACRESANDMYMULE, SOICANPLOWTHEEARTHOPENANDFILLHERWITHMYSEEDS, TREESANDMELONS, HERBSANDFLOWERS, BECAUSETHOSEINPOWERCANCELEDMYSPECIALFIELDORDER, ANDITTOOKCENTURIESFORTHEMTOPUTTRILLIONSONTHELINE, WHILEOURBODIESWEREONTHEFRONTLINES, DOCKINGONEASTERNSHORES, GETTINGBLASTEDFIRSTINEVERYWAR, DENIEDHOUSINGANDJOBS, ANDRESPECTANDDECENCY, SOINEEDTOASK, WHEREAREMYREPARATIONS? WHATCANATHOUSANDDOLLARSDO, FORAFAMILYOFTWO? FOUR? SIX? EIGHT? THEYSTILLDON’TWANTTOINTEGRATE, THERELATIVESOFASLAVE, INTOMODERNSOCIETY, THEY’LLRATHERCRYFORME, BUTMYTEARSOVERFLOWFORTHOSEWHODIEDFORME, RUNNINGTHROUGHSWAMPYFIELDS, WITHTATTEREDDRESSESANDBAREFEET, THEFIRSTASTROLOGERS, FOLLOWINGSTARSTOFREEDOM, FOLLOWINGDREAMSHOPINGTHEYBECOMETRUE, BEFORETHEIRCHILDRENWERESOLDSOUTH, SINGINGSPIRITUALSFROMTHEIRMOUTH, BLESSEDBYTHEIRCONVICTIONS, NOTTOLIVEANDBECONVICTED, INRAT,RANCIDCELLS, NOTTOBECLUMPEDINAMONOLITHOFINNERCITYHELLS,
BOOTS
THEYTOLDMETOPULLMYSELFUPBYMYBOOTSTRAPS, BUTGAVEMENOOSESFORLACES, SOINSTEADOFAHAND-UP, MYNECKSNAPPED, ANDMYBACKBONESLIPPED, INTOTHEABYSSOFNOTHINGNESS, MYBODYWAVEDINTHEWIND, AFLESHYFLAGATHALF-STAFF, ANOTHERBLACKBODYWEHASHTAG, OVERRUBBERSOLESTHATNEVERMEETTHEROAD, THEYTOLDHIMTOPUTHISBOOTSONTHEGROUND, BUTTHENTHEYSTOODTHEIRGROUND, ALLISAWWEREBODIES, THATWEREBLACKANDBROWN, BLOODONTHELEAVES, BLOODONTHECONCRETESTREETS, BLOODONTHESLEEVES, ASFOLKSTRIEDTOSTOPTHEBLEEDING, BUTITDOESN’TSTOP, THEYWON’TSTOPKILLINGUS, THEYBLOWUPEVERYBUS, THEYSHOOTDOWNEVERYCHURCH, ANDTHOUGHTHECAGEDBIRDSSINGANDCHIRP, THEYDON’TWANNAJUMPJIMCROW, THEYTOLDHERTOWEARTHESMALLERSHOES, BUTALLTHEIRSHOESHADPLENTYROOM, OHMYLORD, HOWHERFEETWOULDBLISTER, SWELLUNDERHERSWOLLENBELLY, EMPTYFROMHUNGER, NOJAMSORJELLY’S, NOFEAST, ONLYFAMINE,
WHILETHEYDRINKINGWINE, ANDEATINGHAMAND, COUNTINGTHEIRCOINSFROMOTHER’SDESPAIR, HERBOOTSGETDUSTY, SHEWEARSTHEMANYWAY, THEDARKERSISTER, KINTOBOOTSTRAPSIL, HUNGBYTHENECK, CAUGHTSTEALINGTOHAVEADECENTMEAL, KINTOBOOTSONTHEGROUNDTRAY, MURDEREDBYAMANIACDETERMINETOHAVEHISWAY, TRAPPEDINHERTINYSHOES, WITHTHEWEIGHTOFTHEWORLDSITTINGONHERSHOULDER, ATLASAFRICANA, ANDSHEGETITFROMHERMAMA, THEFIRSTWOMANTOLDTOPULLUPBOOTSTRAPS, FORAPAIROFBOOTSTHATNEVEREXISTED, THISSHITMAKESMESICK, YEAH, ALWAYSGETTINGMYNECKSNAPPED, BYTIME, ANDTHEMORETHINGSCHANGE, THEMORETHEYSTAYTHESAME, BUTIDON’TWANTCHANGETHATRATTLESINPOCKETS, IWANTRADICALCHANGE, STARTINGWITHADECENTPAIROFSHOES.
BOUND/UNBINDING
NOBODY SENDS THEIR SON TO THE SOUTH AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO NAT TURNER, THE TWISTED ALCHEMY OF TURNING A MAN INTO STRANGE FRUIT, OH, WHAT BLACK JEWELS HANG FROM THESE TREES, A HIVE OF BEES BUZZ AT HIS SWOLLEN FACE, WHO KNEW THE PRICE OF LIBERATION WAS INDEED DEATH. NOBODY SENDS THEIR SON TO THE SOUTH AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO EMMITT TILL, THE SINISTER ALCHEMY OF TURNING A YOUNG BOY INTO A BLOATED BODY ANCHORED TO THE RIVER, THAT MONEY IN MISSISSIPPI IS NO GOOD, MUDDY WATERS OF AMNIOTIC FLUID, THAT BABY WAS REBORN DEAD, HIS SMELL STILL HOVERS OVER CHICAGO, A CITY THAT GOT A SECOND CHANCE, BUT WE CAN’T SAY THE SAME FOR OUR BLACK MEN. NOBODY SENDS THEIR SON TO THE SOUTH AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO MIKE BROWN, THE INFLAMMATORY ALCHEMY OF DEMONIZING THE DEAD, HIS MURDER SPARKED A MOVEMENT, YET WE BLACK FOLKS DON’T SEEM TO MOVE AS FAR, ALABASTER WALLS KEEP THE WOMEN INSIDE BREWSTER’S PLACE, AND I OFTEN WONDER, “WHAT KIND OF PLACE IS THIS?”, WHERE THE MUD CAN HEAL YOU, OR YOU COULD BE BURIED UNDERNEATH IT, WHERE THE FLOWERS SMELL SWEET, AND THEN THEY END UP ON YOUR GRAVE, WHERE THE WATER IS FRESH ENOUGH TO DRINK OUTTA THE GROUND, AND ROUGH ENOUGH TO FLOAT YOUR BODY AWAY… I BE SCARED SOMETIMES, TO HATE, AND LOVE A PLACE SO MUCH, I PRAY FOR BABIES, TO LIVE IN A BETTER WORLD THAN THIS, BECAUSE EVERYONE SENDS THEIR SON FROM THE SOUTH TO AVOID LAMENTING OVER A BOWLOFSTRANGEFRUIT.
PURPLEREIGN
FORBLACKFOLKSWHOARETIREDOFSEEINGTHEIRKIN MURDERED.FORTHOSEOFUSWHOCAN’TBREATHE.
TRIGGERWARNING: GEORGEFLOYDWILLNEVERBREATHEAGAIN.
WITHHISKNEEINHISNECK, WHITECOPPRESSESHARDER, THEBLACKMANSCREAMSFORAIR, “ICAN’TBREATHE”, “MYSTOMACHHURTS”, PEOPLERECORDING, BEGGINGFORTHECOPSTOSTOP, BUTTHEYDON’TSTOP, THEYKNEEHARDER, BLACKMANISSCREAMING, TRYINGTOSWALLOWAIRINBETWEENHISSCREAMS, BUTTHERE, ISNOAIRIN, ANDHISLIFEFLOATSOUT, AWOMANPASSINGBYASKS, “CHECKHISPULSE”, THEYKNEEHARDER, THEYNEVERCHECKHISPULSE, ANDBYTHISTIME, THEREISNOTHINGTOCHECK, JUSTAWHITECOP, KNEEINGDOWNONABLACKNECK, UNNECESSARYFORCE, ANEWNOOSE, NODINNERTIES, ORTURTLENECKS, JUSTABLACKNECK, PRESSEDAGAINSTTHEPAVEMENT, JUSTANOTHERBLACKMOTHER, PUSHEDINTOBEREAVEMENT, JUSTANOTHERBLACKFATHER, WHOBURIESHISSON, JUSTANOTHERBLACKBODYTHESYSTEMHASWON, ANDWELOSE,
PARAMEDICSCAME, LIFTEDHISDEADWEIGHT, ROLLEDHIMINTOTHEBUS, HISSCREAMSREPLACEDWITHSIRENS, THEPEOPLEONTHESTREET, FIREDUP, ANDCRYING, ANDTHECOPSJUSTWALKAWAY, GOONABOUTTHEIRBUSINESS, RELIEVEDFROMTHEIRDUTIES, WITHPAY, AVACATION, THEGOINGRATEFORKILLINGBLACKFOLKSINOURNATION, NOSERVE, NOPROTECT, JUSTAWHITECOP, WITHHISKNEEONABLACKNECK, SNAPS, ANDMYHEARTBREAKSINTOPIECES, I’MSHATTERED, ICAN’TRECOVERQUICKENOUGH, CAUSEEVERYOTHERDAY, THEY’REKILLINGUS, ANDIKNOWIASKEDFORITTOSTOP, ABLACKPOET, CHALLENGINGEVERYCOP, TORESIST, THISKINDOFCARDIACARREST, CAUSEI’MPISSED, TIREDOFCRYINGOVERTHISSHIT, LIKEMYSIS, SOLANGE, “ITRIEDTODANCEITAWAY”, “ITRIEDTOPUTONEINTHEAIR”, “ITRAVELED70STATES”, BUTITDOESN’TMATTER, CAUSEWHEREVERIGO, IAMNOTSAFE, SOMEDAYSICAN’TWEARNECKLACES, BECAUSEIREACHFORMYPIPES, HOPINGTHATANOOSEWON’TBETOOTIGHT, BULGEMYEYES, ANDENDMYLIFE, THAT’SBLACKPAIN,
TRAUMAFROMTHEPURPLEREIGN, OFBLUESUITS, MIXEDWITHREDBLOOD, FROMBLACKVEINS, MYFACE, ALWAYSDAMPWITHTEARS, TRYINGTOKEEPFROMGOINGINSANE, INTHEMEMBRANE, BUTHOWCANIMAINTAIN, MYDISDAIN, STAKINGFULLCLAIM, TOTHEWORDSOFUNCLEJAMES, “TO BE A NEGRO IN THIS COUNTRY AND TO BE RELATIVELY CONSCIOUS ISTOBEINARAGE ALMOSTALLTHETIME”, MYDAYSAREFILLEDWITHFEAR, THATTHISCOTTONBLOSSOM, COULDBESOHARD, THATSHECOULDBESOSCARRED, SEEINGHERPEOPLEMURDEREDWITHOUTREGARD, WITHHISKNEEINHISNECK, WHITECOPPRESSESHARDER, THEBLACKMANSCREAMSFORAIR, “ICAN’TBREATHE”, “MYSTOMACHHURTS”, PEOPLERECORDING, BEGGINGFORTHECOPSTOSTOP, BUTTHEYDON’TSTOP, THEYKNEEHARDER, BLACKMANISSCREAMING, TRYINGTOSWALLOWAIRINBETWEENHISSCREAMS, BUTTHERE, ISNOAIRIN, ANDHISLIFEFLOATSOUT, AWOMANPASSINGBYASKS, “CHECKHISPULSE”, THEYKNEEHARDER, THEYNEVERCHECKHISPULSE, ANDBYTHISTIME, THEREISNOTHINGTOCHECK, JUSTAWHITECOP, KNEEINGDOWNONABLACKNECK, UNNECESSARYFORCE, ANEWNOOSE,
ANARRESTISNOTENOUGH
CAUCASIANSCAUSECASUALTIES, ANDWEJUSTSUPPOSEDTOCAUSALLY, GETBACKTOLIFEBEFOREABLACKBODYBLEDINTHESTREETS? ANARRESTISNOTENOUGH, HOWABOUTTHATACTIONTOSTOPKILLINGUS, HOWABOUTTHOSEREPARATIONSTOSTOPKEEPINGUS, GENERATIONSBEHIND, HOWABOUTOURPROTESTSONGSBEINGHEARDONCAPITALSTEPS, ANDYET, WECAN’TOVERCOME, ONANYDAY,
THE GRIP AMERICA HAS ON OUR BLACK LIVES BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OFOURFACES, THEYSLAPFACE, INBLACKFACE, THENMONETIZEOURBLACKSHAPE, PACKAGEOURFLESH, THENPUTUSINTHATBLACKCASE, MAMASCRY, DADDIESCRY, BROTHERSCRY, SISTERSCRY, AUNTIESCRY, UNCLESCRY, COUSINSCRY, DOVESCRY, BUTNEVERHASAMERICAEVENAPOLOGIZED, FORENDINGSOMANYOFOURBLACKLIVES, HARVESTEDUSFROMTHECOAST, ISTOODINASLAVECASTLE, ISAWTHELINEOFDEMARCATION, NEARLY3FEETHIGH, OFBLOOD, ANDFECES, ANDSWEAT, ANDPISS, ANDEXCREMENTS, ANDROTTINGFLESH, INTHEAFRICANHEAT, INADARK, DANK, DUNGEON, ISTOODTHERE, THINKINGIWOULDWEEP,
BUTMYTEARSWERETANGLEDINMYRAGE, MYFACEREMAINEDDRY, ANDTWISTEDINDISGUST, THINKING, “HOWCOULDTHEYDOTHISTOUS?”, WASHEDUSINSLAVERIVER, BEFORETHEYCRAMMEDUSINTOBOATS, ALONGJOURNEY, SCENTEDOFSALT, VOMIT, ANDBILE, BROUGHTUSTOASTOLENCOUNTRY, THATWETILLEDINTOLUSH, PLUSH, ANDPROSPEROUSPROPERTY, WHILEWEREMAINEDPROPERTY, STANDINGINTHECORNERSOFOURMASTER’SHOUSE, KEEPINGQUIETSOTHATWECOULDLEARNHOWTOREAD, KEEPINGQUIETSOTHATWECOULDAVOIDTHEWHIP, THERAPE, THESPIT, THEHATE, KEEPINGQUIETSOTHATWECOULDSTEALAWAYINTHENIGHT, FOLLOWTHEBRIGHTESTSTAR, COMEBACKFORTHEOTHERS, FIGHTFOROURFREEDOM, AGAINANDAGAIN, EVERYDAMNDAY, FORFIVEHUNDREDYEARS, TOSTILLBECRYINGOVEROURDEADCHILDREN, ASKINGJUSTTOLIVE, ANARRESTISNOTENOUGH, YOUCAN’TPACIFYUSWITHPSEUDO-JUSTICE, YOUSAWTHETAPEANDDIDNOTHING, WESAWTHETAPE, ANDWEWEREN’TGOING, BUTWE’VEHADTHEFOOTAGESINCE1957, HEREINLITTLEROCK, WHENGROWNWHITEFOLKSWERESPITTINGONELIZABETHECKFORD, WHEREWEREYOURARRESTSTHEN? WHEN MYDADDYHAD GLASS COKE BOTTLES THROWATHIS HEAD AND IT PEELEDOFFHISSKIN, WHENPOLICESTOPPEDME, ORWON’TSTOPFOLLOWINGME, BECAUSEMYHAIRCANBLOCKOUTTHESUN, ANDSTOPTHEWIND,
WEWORKEDTOOHARDTOSURVIVE, EVERYDAYWEWAKEUPWITHTHEHOPESOFSTAYINGALIVE, ANDHERETHESEFOLKSCOME, STANDINGTHEIRGROUND, TOTINGTHEIRGUNS, DRIVINGAROUND, ANDONEBYONE, STALKINGOURPEOPLE, UNTILTHEYKILLSOME, WHATINTHEABSOLUTEFUCK?!?! ONAGEORGIAROAD, INAPICKUPTRUCK, ORPICKACITY, AMERICAISGUILTY, OFTHESECRIMESAGAINSTHUMANITY, YES,IAMBLACK, ANDIAMHUMAN, IAMTIREDOFEXPLAININGTHAT, THATMYBLACK,BEAUTIFULASS, DESERVESTOEXIST, ANDEVERYCLAPBACK, FOREVERYRACISTATTACK, ISREADYFORTHISROUNDOFAPPLAUSE, NOTTHEROUNDSOFBULLETS, ANDOURBLOODONTHEWALLS, JAILISNOTDEATH, YOUR SONS CAN’T WALK THE EARTH THAT OUR SONS ARE BURIED BENEATH, THISMENTALITYOFBEINGABOVEUS, WHENWEDON’TGIVEAFUCK, WEJUSTWANTTOLIVE, DON’TNEEDNODA, NOJURY, NOJUDGE, TOCONTAINMYFURY, ANARRESTISNOTENOUGH, WANTINEEDISFORY’ALLTOSTOPKILLINGUS,
THECHORUSOFFLAMESSANGCRACKLINGHYMNS, HELL’SHALLELUJAH, ABLACKBODYONTHEPYRE, THEYMADEUSWATCH, ASITEANDSMELLI’LLNEVERFORGET, ABLACKBODYALCHEMIZEDINTOASH, BURNEDLIKETRASHFORBEINGBLACK, LASTTHINGIREMEMBERBEFOREMYNECKSNAPPED.
BLACKBOTANY
THEYDIDN’TKNOWIWASASEED, HARVESTEDFROMMIDDLEEARTH, TOOKPASSAGEONWATER, FROMCUTDOWNTREES, OVERBOARD, ORUNDERDECK, ROPESANDCHAINSAROUNDMYNECK, THEYTRIEDTOELIMINATEME, BURYTHEIRSECRETSONCHARREDPILESOFFLESH, THEBLACKENEDSOIL, COLLECTEDTHETEARSFROMACLOUD, THOSESALTYTREASURESCOVEREDMYSCARREDPLACES, ANDSOOTHEDMYSOUL, AMONRAEXTENDEDHIMSELFTOME, SHINEDSOBRIGHT, MYBODYREACHEDFORHISLIGHT, AGLORIOUSAWAKENINGFROMMYSHALLOWGRAVE, THOUGHHOMEBEALONGWAYSAWAY, IGREWUPHERE, RESURRECTEDFROMSTRUGGLE, THEBLOODOFMYPEOPLEFLOWLIKEWINE, IT’STIMEFORCOMMUNION, ATOASTTOTHOSETHATSURVIVED, ADRINKFORTHOSETHATSACRIFICED, ASIPFORSANKOFA, ANDREMINDERS, CHEERSTOUSTHATBLOOMEDANYWAY, INTHEFACEOFDOOM, WEGAVEITNONEVERMIND, WEWERETOOCONSUMEDWITHTHEAFTERLIFE, LIFEAFTERALLTHATSTRIFE, THOSEFOOLISHONES… THEYDIDN’TKNOWIWASASEED, HARVESTEDFROMMIDDLEEARTH, TOOKPASSAGEONWATER, FROMCUTDOWNTREES, PLANTMAMAS, BLACKBOTANY, WITHPOLLINATORS, THEBIRDSANDTHEBEES, CARRYMEOVER, ITRAVELWITHEASE, GIVINGTHANKSFORGOLDDUST, STARDUST, TARNISHEDCHAINSTHATRUST, BENOMORE,
ROADMAP
"YOUAREHERE..." SAYSMYLIFE, ANDISIMPLYREPLY "WHY?" IMEAN,HOWDIDIGETHERE, INTHISEXACTMOMENT, BETWEENTIME, DALIVISION, MELTINGINTOQUESTIONS, SWELTERINGUNDERTHEPRESSUREOF LEFTORRIGHT, EATINGDINNERWITHTHISFORKINTHEROAD, UMMM,TASTELIKECHICKEN, BUTDOESN'TEVERYTHING? IWANTSTEAKTONIGHT, BUTIAMHERE, ASSOTOLDBYMYLIFE, ANDTHEMENUISTHIN, ASIBEGINTOTAKEANOTHERSTEP, LEFT, LEFT, LEFT,RIGHT, LEFTTHATSHITBEHIND, ANDITHASTHENERVETOFOLLOWME, ONTHISJOURNEYIOFTENASK, WHATISTHENEXTSTEP, LEAPINGOVERCLOCKS, SOMEWITHBROKENHANDS, SECONDSSPINNINGOUTOFCONTROL, OTHERSSTILL, JUSTSTILLANDSTUCKINAPARTICULAR, MOMENT, ANDMYLIFEISMORETHANTHAT, HOWEVERTHISDESOLATEDESSERTOFDALIHASMYMINDINCIRCLES, HASMYTIMETIEDINKNOTS, ISHOULDBEFREEOFTHIS, SOICANMOVE, ANDQUICK, FORIHEARDMYTIMEWILLLEAVEMEBEHIND, WAITINGFORNOONE, EVENME, "YOUAREHERE" SAYSMYLIFE, ANDIDON'TKNOWWHY, BUTIWANTSTEAKTONIGHT...
BLACKCHRISTMAS
I’MDREAMINGOFABLACKCHRISTMAS, JUSTLIKETHEONESIUSEDTOKNOW, TEMPTATIONSPLAYINGINTHEBACKGROUND, ANDGARLANDONTHEDOOR, MAMAANDDADDY, CATCHINGKISSESUNDERTHEMISTLETOE, GRANNYMAKINGDRESSING, DINNERATFO’, TINSEL, LIGHTS, REDVELVETBOWS, REDVELVETCAKE, RUDOLPHANDHISREDNOSE, BITTERCOLD, JACKFROST, OWEMYUNCLETENDOLLARS, CAUSEHELOSTTHEDOMINOESGAME, MYDADDYWATCHINGFOOTBALL, MEANDMYBROTHERPLAYING, CRANBERRY, SPICE, ORANGE, ANDPINEAPPLEINTHEAIR, TURKEYINTHEOVEN, RIBBONINMYHAIR, I’MDREAMINGOFABLACKCHRISTMAS, JUSTLIKETHEONESIUSEDTOKNOW, WHATDOTHELONELYDO, ANDCHESTNUTSROASTINGNEXTTOMARSHMALLOWS, MIDNIGHTMASS, HANDEL’SMESSIAH, UNCLEKIRKE’SGUMBO, LAUGHOUTLOUDWITHMYCOUSINS, AUNTIESDRUNK, CHAMPAGNEGOTTHEMBUZZING, MYMAMAINAPRETTYDRESS, IMISSTHOSEDAYSOFOLD, PRACTICALJOKES, WITHALUMPOFCOAL, ELVESDROPPINGOFFPRESENTSATTHEDOOR, HOTCIDER, JACKSON5, HOTCOCOA, MOTOWNALBUMSKEEPINGTHECHRISTMASSPIRITALIVE, SUNSHININGTHROUGHBETHEL’SSTAINEDGLASSWINDOWS, PRAYERSFORTHENEWYEAR, SWEETBABEINAMANGER, WRAPPEDINKENTECLOTHES, SPEECHES, ANDALLTHELESSONSOURPEOPLEBETEACHING, THAT’SWHEREIWANNAGO, I’MDREAMINGOFABLACKCHRISTMAS, JUSTLIKETHEONEIUSEDTOKNOW.
STRONGBLACKWOMAN
“STRONGBLACKWOMAN” ATLASAFRICANA, CARRYINGTHEWORLDONHERBACK, IT’SFRACTURED, THEWATERBREAKS, ANDCONTINENTSQUAKE, SEPARATINGLANDMASSES, WITHPATULOUSSEAS, OPENWATERS, FULLSHIPS, THERE’SBLACKPEOPLEONTHOSEBOATS, CUEAMERICA, THE“STRONGBLACKWOMAN”, NEGROAMERICANA, CARRYINGTHECOUNTRYONHERBACK, ORFIVEHUNDREDPOUNDSOFCOTTON, THEMASTER’SKIDSAREALLSPOILEDROTTEN, RAPINGHEREVERYCHANCETHEYGET, ANDTHEMOMENTSHERESISTS, THEYHANGHERBYTHENECK, “STRONGBLACKWOMAN” NOIRCOUTURE, CARRYINGTHESTRUGGLEONHERBACK, ORHERDEADBABIESINHERARMS, HERLOADSHOULDN’TBESOHEAVY, HATED, ANDWEIGHTED, SHEGETSAPATONHERENCUMBEREDSPINE, AFEATHEROFKUDOS, FORHERPETRIFIEDPAIN, “STRONGBLACKWOMAN”, CCMERCERWATSONTIMESONEHUNDRED, CARRYINGTHEBLOODOFTHEFIRSTBLACKWOMANINHERVEINS, SURVIVOR, OFTECTONICPLATESSHIFTING, ANDTHEMASTER’SWHIPPINGS, SURVIVOR, OFPOLICETHRASHINGS, ANDTHEMIDDLEPASSAGE, SURVIVOR, DESTINY’SCHILD, YOUNG,GIFTED,ANDBLACK, THELIGHTOFTHESUNONMYBACK, PRAISINGRA,
FORDWAYNE“PHOENIX”JONES
INSTANTLY
ANDJUSTLIKETHAT, HISLIFEWASTAKEN, TIRESSCREECHING, HANDSSHAKING, RAINFALLINGHARD, CLOUDSCOVERSTARS, THEMOONBEHIDDEN, THEPHONEBERINGING, IT’STHECALLYOUDON’TWANNAANSWER, BUTYOUDON’TKNOWITYET, “DWAYNEWASINACARACCIDENT,KILLEDINSTANTLY”. WHOWOULDDARESTRINGTHOSEWORDSTOGETHER? ARRANGETHEMINTHEIRMOUTH, FIXTHEIRLIPSTOTELLMETHIS? THESHOCKOFIT, ITCOULDN’TBETRUE, BUTIKNEWITWAS, FELT THE IMPACT IN MY STOMACH WHEN THE SOUND CARRIED FROM MY EARS,TOMYBRAIN,TOMYHEART, RIPPINGEVERYTHINGAPART, ANDSHATTERINGMYINSIDESALONGTHEWAY, MYKNEESBUCKLED, IWASSOWEAK, TOKNOWSOMEONESOCLOSETOMEHADLOSTHISLIFE, ATNIGHT, INTHERAIN, ANOTHERCARWASDRIVINGTOOFAST, ANOTHERCARCOULDN’TBRAKEONHISPADS, ANOTHERCARTRIESTOFLEE, BUTMYDEARCOUSINDWAYNE, “KILLEDINSTANTLY”, ANDJUSTLIKETHAT, HISLIFEWASTAKEN, TIRESSCREECHING, HANDSSHAKING, RAINFALLINGHARD, CLOUDSCOVERSTARS, THEMOONBEHIDDEN, THEPHONEBERINGING, IT’STHECALLIDIDN’TWANNAANSWER, BUTIDIDN’TKNOWITYET, SOIANSWEREDIT, ANDDAMN, DAMN, DAMN, GRIEFCONSUMEDMELIKEATINYCHOCOLATE, ANEASYBITEFORHIMTOSWALLOWMEWHOLE,
I’VEBEENINHISDARKBELLYEVERSINCE, OPAQUEWALLOWING, CONSTANTHOLLERING, FORMYFAMILY, WHOMADEAHARDLIFELOOKEASY, WHOMADEJOYSTRETCHONTERRIBLEDAYS, WHOMADESOMETHINGOUTTAOFNOTHING, DOYOUKNOWWHATSURVIVALIS? IT’SMAGICPEOPLEONLYKNOWIFTHEYLIVEDIT, ANDDWAYNETRADEDHISPIPEFORAWAND, HETURNEDJERICHOINTOAYELLOWBRICKROAD, THE JOURNEY OF A MILLION MILES BEGAN WITH 12 STEPS AND HE WALKEDTHEENTIREWAY, HISLEGACYDIDN’TCOMEWITHACAPE, BUTHEWAS, IGUARANTEE, INDEED, MAGIC, ANDNOW, HISDEATH, TRAGIC, THAT IN AN INSTANT SOMEONE COULD TAKE THE YEARS HE MIGHT HAVE HADLEFT, JUSTWHENHEGOTITRIGHT, MYTEARSANDTHERAINBETHESAME, FALLINGOVERDWAYNE, ASELF-PROCLAIMEDPHOENIX, RISINGFROMTHEASHESOFHISPAST, BRILLIANTLYBRIGHT, FORTHEWORLDTOMARVELATHISFLUTTERINGFEATHERS, THEYPICKUPWIND, ANDBECOMEAGENTLEBREEZE, AREMINDERTHATOURMEMORIESTRANSFERINTRANSITION, DAMN, DAMN, DAMN, I’MGONNAMISSHIM, MYMAGICCOUSIN, PLAYTOOMUCH, EATTOOMUCH, DON’TSEEEACHOTHERENOUGH, UNLESSIT’SATAFUNERAL, NEVERIMAGINEDI’DSEEHIMATHIS, INACASKETORANURN, EITHERWAY, IWISHFORBETTERDAYS, FAREWELLANDSAFETRAVELS, TOOURDEARDWAYNE.PHOENIX,RISING.
EVENAFLOWERBLOOMS INTHEDESERT
ITWAS113DEGREES, THEFOLDSINMYBACK, ANDUNDERMYBREASTSBEGANTOSTICKTOEACHOTHER, MYSWEATWASTHICK, ASALTYCONCOCTION, BOTHBITTERANDSWEET, MYSKINGLOWEDLIKEHONEYINTHEDARK, ANAMBERJARONAPANTRYSHELF, IUSEMYFINGERTOSTIRMYTEA, AMORNINGPRAYER, INTHEDESERTHEAT, ILOVETOSWEAT, IFEELSOALIVE, MYBODY, PERSPIRESANANCESTRALSONG, AMIDDLEPASSAGETRAILOFTEARS, THISHEATREMINDSMEOFMYCOSMICJOURNEY, MYSKINISAKALEIDOSCOPEOFMYHERITAGE, CHANGINGCOLORSASTHESUNCHANGESPOSITIONSINTHESKY, I’MPRETTY, BROWN, RED, YELLOW, EARTHENBLACKWOMAN, MELTINGINTOTHESOIL, NIGHTFALLSANDISTAND, ASTALLASACACTUS, MYEYESAREPRICKLYPEARS, JUICYJEWELSATOPMYFRAME, THEROADSIDEISBROWN, GREEN, WILDFLOWERSDAZZLEINTHEHEAT, EVENAFLOWERBLOOMSINTHEDESERT, SHETHRIVESUNDERTHEHOTTESTRAYS, SHEDOESN’TNEEDMUCH, SOMEDRYBUSHWILLGIVEHERENOUGHSHADE, ASSHESWAYSINTHEWHIPPINGWIND, ISEEMYSELFINHER, IDON’TPICKHER, ILETHERBE, SHE’SLOVELY, BETWEENDEATHANDROCK,SHE’SBLOOMS,LIKEME.
LION’SGATE
IFOUNDMYSANCTUARYONAREDROCK, ITLOOKEDLIKEMYPATERNALGRANDMOTHER, HERLEATHERYSKINFOLDEDINEMBOSSEDBANDSOFTIME, TINTEDOFSIENNAANDWETCLAY, AGATEWAY, IPRAYEDFORMYSANITY, CREATIVITY, BABIES, BILLIONS, ABUNDANCE, TURQUOISESUNRISES, CORALSUNSETS, TEQUILAANDAGAVEATDUSK, OH,WHATSWEETCOMMUNION, THISOPEN-AIRCATHEDRALHADANORGANOFWHIPPINGWIND, AHUMINMYCHEST, INCANTATIONSBETWEENMYBREASTS, AVORTEXOFPROMISE, ANEWMOON, ONADAYWHEREDREAMSDOCOMETRUE, ALAZYSUNDAYINABABBLINGCREEK, WHEREIWASHMYRINGSANDSTONES, THEWATERSPEAKSINTONGUES, ANDINMYMIND, ICALLONEVERYGAWDIKNOW, MEDITATEONMYPRAYERS, MANIFESTBASEDONMYGUIDANCE, QUIET… THEANCESTORSARESPEAKING, KISSINGMYSKINWITHDIVINELIGHT, THESUNSHINESONASTACKEDROCKTOMBBYATWISTEDBURNTTREE, ANDIAMRISEN, ANAMETHYSTSOUL, WHOFOUNDHERSANCTUARYONAREDROCK.
LET’SJUMPTHEBROOMTODAY, APORTALINTOANEWWORLD, MARRIAGEANDMAGIC, MARKEDBYGNARLEDWOOD, EUCALYPTUS,FEATHERS,BABY’SBREATH,STRAW,ANDTWINE, ACAMEROONIANPASSPORTMASK, ANCESTORS, BLESS’EDBE, OURBODIESBINDTOGETHERINANANCIENTLOVESPELL, CASTINFREEDOM, FORTIFIEDTOWEATHERANYSTORM, ANDWEKNOW, HOWSPECIALTHISBROOMIS, SNAPPEDFROMTORNADOWIND, TOSSEDABOUTTHEYARD, PULLEDFROMDEBRIS, ABURIEDTREASUREAMONGBROKENTREES, DEBARKEDANDSEALEDWITHANOINTEDOILS, ACONDUITFORANELECTRICUNION, LET’SJUMPTHEBROOMTODAY, THESAMEHANDSWEHOLD, PULLBACKTHEFOLDSINMYDRESS, WETAKEADEEPBREATHANDTAKEABIGLEAP… ONE, TWO, THREE! SILVERSLIPPERSONAYELLOWFABRICROAD, FLESHYKISSESTOSEALTHEDEAL, WE’SMARRIEDNOW! WE’SMARRIEDNOW! ANANNOUNCEMENTINANOTHERDIMENSION, TIMETRAVELINGLOVERS, WHATAMYSTICALMYSTERYLOVEIS, ANDYET, ITISTHEMOSTTRUETHINGTHATEXISTS, SOHAPPYTOBEINTHISMARRIAGE, ANDMAGIC, WITHYOU.
ELIZABETHINOZ:2057
INSTANTLYICONIC, ACRISPWHITESHIRTDRESSWITHABLACKGINGHAMSKIRT, AYOUNGGIRLWHOTOOKTHELONGESTWALKOFHERLIFE, THEMOBISFICKLE, ANDTHEYSPIT, ANDTHEYSCREAM, ANDTHEYCURSE, ANDTHEYFOLLOW, CLICK–CAMERAFLASHES, SPIT–PEOPLESPAZZING, BEHIND HER CAT SHADED EYES ARE REMINDERS NOT TO LET THEM SEE HERCRY, WARRIORSDON’TCRY, THEYCLUTCHTHEIRBOOKSCLOSETOTHEIRCHEST, LIKEARMOR, PARTTHESEAOF WHITEHOTANGER, WITHANONYXCOOL, STAYCALM, DON’TRUN, JUSTWALK, HERSTEPSAREPEDESTALSOFPOWERFORALLTHATFOLLOW, DEARGAWD, MAKEMEELIZABETHECKFORD, SOICANWALK, WALKFAR, FAR,FARAWAY, FROMANYTHINGTHATWISHESTOENDME, THEPAST, THEFUTURE, ITCOULDALLBETHESAME, IFWELETHISTORYKEEPREPEATINGTHISWAY, BUTWEDON’T, WESCRAMBLEBOARDTOTHEFUTURE, TELLBILLIONSOFYOURSACRIFICE, ANDTHENWESEEYOU, AT15YEARSOLD, ANDNOW, STANDINGINYOURPOWER, AHERO’SJOURNEY, ANDINOURSTORIES, WEALWAYSWIN.
WEALLBEIMPORTANT, WEALLBESOMEBODY’SBABY, WEALLBESPECIALTOSOMEONE, RESPECTTHAT, LET’SHEALTHISSACREDLANDWITHOURART, THERAINBOWISREVOLUTIONARY, TO HAVE THE AUDACITY TO DISPLAY ALL OF HER COLORS AFTER THE RAIN, DON’TSENDMETOWAR, SENDMETOTHECUTTINGROOMFLOOR, AFROFUTURESSANKOFATHROUGHFILM, IMAGINELIFEFROMHOWWELIVED, ANDTHEYSIMPLYLIVEBETTER, TAKEABREATH, LIFEBEMORETHANVAPORINAROOMFULLOFSMOKE, SOI’MGONNAPASSTHEDUTCHONLEFTHANDSIDE, ANDKEEPMYFOOTINTHESOUTH.
FOREVERYGIRL,ESPECIALLYZENITH
DAUGHTERSOFREDEMPTION
WHENIWASAGIRL, THEWORLDCUTMEOFFATEVERYCORNER, MADEFUNOFMYFEATURES, MADEINDUSTRYOFMYTRAUMA, MADEAMOCKERYOFWHATEVERAUTONOMYITHOUGHTIHAD, IMAGINEAPLANT, GROWINGINACLEAR,GLASSBOX, SEED-TO-SOIL-TO-SPROUT-TO-FLOWER, ACOTTONBLOSSOMINHERDARKESTHOUR, REACHINGFORTHELIGHTWHEREVERSHEFOUNDIT, ANDLIGHT, LIKEME, WASRARE, IMAGINEALION, WITHWINDINHERHAIR, ANDTHEN, SOMEBODYTURNEDOFFTHEWIND, ASTALEOFFERINGINEXCHANGEFORTHEWHOLE, OFME, EVERYOUNCEOFMYEXISTENCETOBEMAGNIFIED, CRUCIFIED, HIGHJACKEDANDSOLDTOTHEHIGHESTBIDDER, IMAGINEHOWTIGHTTHATBOXBECAME, HOWHARDITWASTOBREATHEWITHOUTAIR, THEDAYSTHATGREWDARKER, WELL, IBENIGHTSHADEINTHESOUL, IGREWANYWAY, ANDWISHEDFORSOMETHINGDIFFERENTFORGIRLSLIKEME, ANDTHOSEDAYSTHATIDREAMEDOFCAMETOBE, INAHALLELUJAHHOWLINGATTHEMOON, OURDAUGHTERS, OURNIECES, WITHBEADSONTHEIRBRAIDS, ANDCOWRIESONTHEIRLOCKS, TRAVELINGFROMCOASTTOCOAST, WITHTHEWARM,WETSANDBETWEENTHEIRTOES, THEYBEYOUNG,WILD,ANDFREE, THEYBESOSUREOFTHEMSELVES, THEYBEHAPPY, ANDEXPANSIVE,
ABOUTTHEAUTHOR
CCMERCERWATSON
R WATSON IS A MAGNETIC GEM FROM THE STATE. SHE HAS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF TALENT LUDES BEING A TEXTILE ARTIST, ACTOR, POET, PLAYWRIGHT, PUBLISHED AUTHOR (A Y WAITING TO HAPPEN, BUTTERFLY TYPEFACE G, 2018, AND FROM COTTON TO SILK: THE LACK HAIR, ET ALIA PRESS, 2021), FOUND(HER) UTIVE DIRECTOR OF A BLACK SPACE, A THAT SERVES AND LIBERATES BLACK FOLKS CULTURE BEARING, ORAL TRADITION, L CRAFT, DESIGN AND CONSULTATION, AND GNER AND MERCHANT OF MERCER TEXTILE E, A FIBER BUSINESS THAT MERGES FARM-TOND FINE ART WHICH EXPRESSES CURRENT AND BLACK CULTURE… THOSE PASSIONS BEING A OR UPLIFTING VOICES OF COLOR AND MAKING ZED POPULATIONS VISIBLE.
A BA IN THEATRE ARTS AND DANCE FROM THE Y OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK AND IS A OF THE CLINTON SCHOOL WITH A MASTER’S IN SERVICE. SHE HAS PERFORMED ON ONAL STAGES IN THEATRE HOUSES AND OETRY AND SHE HAS EXHIBITED WORK AT THE CCRA (ACCRA, GHANA), SOO VISUAL ARTS INNEAPOLIS, MN), THEA FOUNDATION (NORTH K, AR), MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER CK, AR), AND AT M2 GALLERY (LITTLE ROCK, AR) SUAL ART CAREER IS REPRESENTED. A PUBLIC SERVANT, A WOMAN OF MANY TALENTS, AND THE DAUGHTER OF LEGENDARY RIGHTS LAWYER, ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER C. R., SHE HONORS THE LEGACY OF HER FATHER BY RTISTIC MEDIUMS AS A TOOL FOR MENT, EDUCATION, AND RADICAL JUSTICE.
N NAME, MERCER, MEANS “A MERCHANT IN AND SHE IS A TEXTILE MAVEN, STITCHING BY USANDS OF HOURS A YEAR. WATSON, AT HER STORYTELLER AND KEEPER OF CULTURE. SHE HOLDING THE BELIEF THAT ARKANSAS CAN BE A CULTURAL MECCA OF THE SOUTH, UNIVERSALLY UNIFYING OUR HISTORY AND HEALING, AND THAT SHE CAN BE A KEEPER OF THAT STORY, TOO. IN EVERY THREAD OF HER BEING, SHE IS WEAVING A TAPESTRY OF HER ANCESTORS, DRAPED IN AFRO-FUTURISM. FOLLOW THE ODYSSEY AT WWW.CCMERCERWATSON.COM AND ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS @CCMERCERTOO.
ABOUTTHEBOOK
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED: AN ODE TO THE GREEN BOOK IS PAYING HOMAGE TO THE HERO’S JOURNEY OF AFRICANAMERICAN ROADSTERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES FROM THE 1930S TO PRESENT DAY. INSPIRED BY WATSON’S OWN CROSS COUNTRY TREK TO DELIVER ARTWORK TO SOOVAC IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, AND HER FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME, THE WIZ, SHE BLENDS THE RADICAL GRIT OF NEGRO TRAVELERS, GUIDED BY THE GREEN BOOK, AND THAT OF THE EMERALD CITY, A COVETED DESTINATION, AS EACH PERSON WHO BEGINS THEIR ODYSSEY MUST NAVIGATE NEW TERRITORY AND FIND THEIR WAY HOME.
THE GREEN BOOK OF POEMS BY CC MERCER WATSON IS A COLLECTION THAT ACCOMPANIES HER EXHIBITION OF THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED. IT DOCUMENTS THE HOPES, DREAMS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, AND JOYS THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO LIFE IN THE SOUTH AND TRAVELING ON THE ROAD, BE IT STATESIDE OR ABROAD. THIS COLLECTION ALSO CELEBRATES BLACK LIFE, LOVE, GRIEF, AND EXPECTATIONS OF RESPECT. THE GREEN BOOK OF POEMS IS DEDICATED TO THOSE THAT TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.
