Fold Connecting readers, educators and writers throughExtraordinary advocacy, acceptance and empathyLighting the path for literacy for allEvolving the space, time and love for diverse writersBringing it to us live from Brampton, Ontario, CanadaReflecting the reality that is Canada’s cultural diversityAuthor representation that is explosive with theTruth that lives in the literary landscape –Emerging and established… Continue reading Poem 48 FOLD & I Read Canadian Day!
Author: Vanessa Shields
Writer. Mother. Lover.
Poem 47 – the intimacy of skin
the intimacy of skin “…how come, how comeI anticipate nothing as intimate as history would I have had a different lifefailing this embrace with broken things…”From ‘thirsty’ by Dionne Brand nothing is more intimate than skin the bag of itmighty body buttress claspingthe broken & betrayedcupping loss in a wrinkled elbowstanding at attention on the… Continue reading Poem 47 – the intimacy of skin
Poem 46 – Mary
Mary When she opens her eyesthe first thing she seesis Hope – how it leans at the foot of her bedholding up the cheek of dawn – directing lighton Mary’s heart She is tired Her bodya trunk heavy with theweight of being the changetoday there is much to doas there was yesterday asthere will be tomorrow Passion… Continue reading Poem 46 – Mary
Poem 45 – Dedication
dedication a name held in quotationsink-embraced – eternal love underlineda precipicea spine cupid’s arrow arrived nineteen years of yesterdaysmeet again today lovers on the pagefor us to emulate The funny thing is I can't remember if this book was gifted or if I purchased it myself? I suppose it doesn't matter. The gift is that… Continue reading Poem 45 – Dedication
Poem 44 – Lines
Lines “Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board.” first lineinvitation “Now, women forget all those things they don’t want to remember, and remember everything they don’t want to forget.” fifth lineunder the influence “The sun was gone, but he had left his footprints in the sky.” twelfth linefeverish surprise “But now, the… Continue reading Poem 44 – Lines
Poem 43 – Collection
Collection “While close friendships can be seen throughout, viewers will also see how these women respectfully challenged and shaped each other’s ideas and perspectives.” Instruction Archivist, Gabrielle M. Dudley, Curator of ‘She Gathers Me: Networks Among Black Women Writers' when we gatherthe great collectione x p a n d s in sound & silencein rooms… Continue reading Poem 43 – Collection
Poem 42 – Considering History
Considering History “There were humans long before there was history.” pg. 4, Sapiens, A Brief History of Human Kind by Yuval Noah Harari This past of oursriddled with riddleswith punchlineswe’re still discovering. But lines, oh yes, they are rich. Linesof life stretched acrossthe planet for millionsof years – including the line ofHomo Sapiensone of three speciesin… Continue reading Poem 42 – Considering History
Poem 41 – Nella Larson Lives
Nella Larson Lives“At the time of her death, her work had been forgotten.” pg. 551, The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 1914-1945, Volume D Two novels conceived in the bellyof a biracial beastquicksand unsteady under solesher soul passing back and forthbetween black and white and why What is culture between cultures?Who goes there and what… Continue reading Poem 41 – Nella Larson Lives
