From Convincing the Body:
First Hyacinth
Oh mother speak
your words written
on this brown paper bag soil
on the lower east side
red painted toes kiss the sidewalk
of summer's gown
already the first hyacinths
spring a silver-blue song
a fragrant distraction
in flatbush trini women
shimmer in halters their
belly buttons beg questions of war
a flat black pencil
scrawls its name
across one determined eyebrow
secret gospels dance around each lid
AMERICANIZING
finally
arriving
in america
we grew
new names
dull teeth
tough skin
tails
long as benue river
our tears
sea salt
connect continents
smoke lines
to find our way home
quiet
quiet now
listen
listen to rain drum
learn to carry
that blue dark heart
close to your mango body
learn to sing
learn to sing girl
learn to sing that bruise.
CHARM
Rose early
watched my Brooklyn sky unfold
into a pink bewitching grin
I am forever in awe of her beauty
her enviable charm
Cheryl Boyce Taylor