Month: April 2024

“chaotic beauty” for Walker Lee

she black like blue
beauty trapped in
a lion’s soul–pulling her
out would be death

she’ll come for you in
your dreams and remind
you to call out to
our ancestors–to ululate
in celebration of their
resurrections

you must be out
your raggedy mind to
believe what society
feeds you, love–we
can’t get fat off
of crumbs

we can’t get rich off
of pennies
they’ll spoon-feed you
lies then tell you
you’re crazy

but chaotic beauty sits
in her rockin’ chair
on her wrap-around porch
in the devil heat
of summer
sipping iced tea

she has no ears
for gossip only
time for what matters most

and that’s the stories
of our lives–the stories
of our deaths

bring her wine and flowers
and the blood of angels
as payment for the
newness of self
you’ll receive after
your first meeting
with her

you’ll thank me
later

A good friend of mine published her second book–the one you see above, and it is beyond words for me to express what I think about it. I read it in one sitting and even then, I wished there was more. I am over-the-moon proud of her, and if you see fit, support this woman. I wouldn’t steer you wrong. Wine Flowers & Blood: Or, what the ancestors say when I’m not listening.