For the last Wednesday in May…walk the “Avenue” with us
Legacy and Consciousness
Transitions…
History and ancestral beginnings
Enjoy the poetic nuances of Phylise
Smith. Her words move in a lyrical dance
of words. Feel her flow.
Halloween
night, in a persona I’ve never become
I
bewitched and twitched wearing a black and orange striped elevated hat
spider
web marked cape, charcoal knee high black boots. And carrying
a
tiny broom made of dead leaves.
Pulsating
black lights glimpsed
through
house doors smiling wide. Streaming organ music
fake
howls, yells, signaled candy would flood
my
wrinkled paper sack.
Puff
it into a brown balloon piñata
of
chocolates, marshmallows, caramels, suckers amid occasional
cigarettes
thrown in by adult pranksters.
Long ago, candy was my Halloween.
Whether my costume was a princess, comic book figure, pirate, ghost,
fairy, witch- it didn’t matter
In play, these roles were ribbons in my hair.
At night, I shed them,
like a young snake.
Whether my costume was a princess, comic book figure, pirate, ghost,
fairy, witch- it didn’t matter
In play, these roles were ribbons in my hair.
At night, I shed them,
like a young snake.
Unafraid
of my hair, they gaze
at
its night like they see stars.Unafraid of my hair, they comb
as if their hands share my hair’s tongue.
Unafraid
of my hair, they caress
it
like they stroke new-born babies.
Unafraid
of my hair, they shape
its
tendrils and bangs into history.
They
braid my hair.
Centuries
of great- grandmothers, aunts, age-mates leap into my thirsty scalp.
Publication: 2018 African American
Heritage Calendar and Cultural Guide
Los Angeles, California
 |
| Phylise Smith (photo provided) |
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While reading Ms. Smith's poems aloud, one can really hear the musicality. Her imagery continues to dance in my memory. I will probably be able to recite her poetry, or at least specific phrases without looking at the page. Had to share her feature on Facebook. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI forget where I first read Ms. Smith's poetry, but I keep an active eye out for it, since it is always engaging and thought-provoking. These fine poems are no exception and "New Hair Style" is simply incredible.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bill, for publishing these wonderful words.