a raging storm sweeps the city
pulls up trees and downs power lines
and a little monster who slayed dragons
and warded off a lochness sea creature
counts sheep on my bed
staring at the rise and fall of her belly
I wonder, “how much action is her brain
dishing out as she sleeps? who is she
fighting now?”
surrounded by her favorite toys
love tucks her in
and I fade into the background
lose myself in words
and wait for the storm to pass
A Haiku
the kids are playing in
man-made saltwater, shouting
at the top of their lungs
one gasps and yells in a voice
almost like yours
I stop what I am doing
to listen to your imposter
begging the other children to
follow her lead
she has cotton for an explanation
packed in her gums
she’s muffled now
I no longer hear you
I wonder if you’re grilling
if you’ve pulled out charcoal
fired up your favorite heavy duty
Bull Bison
and mixed in some memories of
us along with a few stubborn
embers
I miss talking to you
miss wondering what the day
gifted at its end
if you succeeded or failed
in court
I never understood a judge
or jury that decided against you
didn’t they know you
had the best arguments?
like firecrackers on the
Fourth of July
popping for no one in particular
begging the world to take
their side
just like that little girl
with your voice in man-made saltwater
urging a crowd of her peers
to follow her nowhere
Exhausted each day
After education of a
Different kind
Learning the ropes while
Pulling them close to me
I am breaking into a
New life, Circe on a deserted island
Hopeful
Encouraged
And determined
This gift of newness
Sprinkles itself all over
A seeking body–vengeful by default
Freeing me of worry
And despair, turning me loose into the wild
Pressure An Audio Poem
It is the pressing pulse
of a whisper that
knows no birth
the guise, cloaked in
nightlife, tucked in lies,
a play on little more than less
of what you had yesterday and
more than less of what you need
for tomorrow
your new adventure,
categorized in “Lifestyles”
only to be forgotten
next year
pressure–the underdog
and overweight extension
of a life you wish you
had, but know you
will never get
Today, my Mother asked
me if I ever had suicidal
thoughts and I nodded
“Yes”.
I glanced in Jernee’s direction,
hinting that she’s the reason
I am still alive.
The reason why
I did not
could not leave
this world before
I am called.
I watched my Mom
“What If” me without
opening her mouth and
I said,
“But, I am here, Mom.
I choose to
live.
A Cornered Gurl 
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