Rise Up with the early bird,I watch her tug a plump-shinyworm from the wet summer earth. At first, standing still,the red-chested ave feels theunderground vibrations ofthe worm. She can hear itslithering in the dark mouthof its moist dirt mansionI call backyard. I watch her pull & bite & holduntil the annelid is in piecesin her… Continue reading Poem 182 – Rise
Tag: poem
Poem 56 – Uncle Eddie
Uncle Eddie That red leather suit Zipper all the way downShiny chest topped with a gold medallion Teeth so brightSmile so urgent That backthroat laughSucking for air Eddie Murphy in the living roomOn the VHS Play stop rewind playMemorize the ice cream bitShakin’ my hips screamin’ and singin’ along Little me fan-girlin’ for days For… Continue reading Poem 56 – Uncle Eddie
Poem 53 – An Act
An Act “Spontaneous creativity is a supreme act of trust.” pg. 175-76, One Day My Soul Just Opened Up by Iyanla Vanzant trust the lifting of your mouth the pressure on your cheeks the squeezing of light from your eyes the spontaneous creativity of smilingis a kind shout from your face in service to the world… Continue reading Poem 53 – An Act
Poem 52 – Headstones on the Potomac Shore
Headstones on the Potomac Shore The Potomac coughs up headstonesfrom the Columbian Harmony Cemetery. Heavy slabs of memories choke on a storythat won’t stop repeating its violent conflicts. The bodies of 37,000 black residents uprootedreburied – names replaced with the silence of sold markers. For 60 years Keckley, Fleetwood, Shadd and moresix feet under footsteps… Continue reading Poem 52 – Headstones on the Potomac Shore
VANESSA SHIELDS, writer 