The Greatest Love of All I didn’t know what dignity meant when I was 8 but I knew how it feltit felt like Whitney Houston’s voice around my body a protective shielda long hallway lit by a thousand suns a passage out I spent time with Whitney every day… Continue reading Poem 34 – The Greatest Love of All
Poem 33 – Two Girls
Two Girls two tweens sit in a hallwaybacks against the wallin casual harmony want some fries? says a girlokay says a girl two tweens munch onMcDonald’s fries duringa break in a workshopin a boring building inTroy, MI they talkthey eatthey giggle you’re being so nice to mesays a girla girl doesn’t understand thestatement so she lets… Continue reading Poem 33 – Two Girls
Poem 32 – Ode to George Elliott Clarke’s Mouth
Ode to George Elliott Clarke’s Mouth When he took the stage in the atelierit was an assaultthe air heaved toward himrendering me breathlessmy spin reconfigured in attention a vertebrae salutethe space became a sanctuarya long mantis finger pushed up his glassesand.then.he.quaked Head leaned backforehead glistening with sweatcheeks puffed proud like mountainslips, oh lips! peeling back in revelationspit,… Continue reading Poem 32 – Ode to George Elliott Clarke’s Mouth
VANESSA SHIELDS 