At 13 years old
You appeared
I knew your name
Not life
There you were
So page by page
I found out
Learned about Garvey too
And Harlem, Detroit, really
America
Learned about prison
Drugs, burglary
Mostly I learned about
Redemption and salvation
How in saving your people
One can save themselves
My life was changed when I
Read the epilogue
Realizing that you KNEW
Recording your history
Cuz you KNEW
Thank you for your ancestors
Who bore the legacy that would
Give us
You
Words don't fail me now Spill out like the wails of mothers losing their babies at the auction block words comfort me like the prayers at dawn during The Fast to our benevolent God Muster up lifelong
It feels like flushed cheeks and pulsating jawbones It feels empty It feels like blood rapidly popping as it travels from heart It feels like nothing It feels like under/over eating It feels like a vo
The anxiety makes the stomach flip The depression makes the limbs heavy The tug and pull Is overwhelming and nauseating Gags Short breaths Teeth chattering Big sighs as tears roll down
