Give Us Back Our Voice

Culturally-diversified biracial girl with
a small diamond nose ring and a pretty smile
poses beside the words
“Women Deserve Better”.

Powerless

In parts of our city, the power went out
intentionally outages after a strong storm,
to prevent further damages, to make sure
we all will be comfortable during the summer.

Hymn for the Hurting

Everything hurts,
Our hearts shadowed and strange,
Minds made muddied and mute.
We carry tragedy, terrifying and true.
And yet none of it is new;
We knew it as home,
As horror,
As heritage.
Even our children
Cannot be children,
Cannot be.

Just Be

Just be who I am,
no judgment by others
without too many worries
living my life.

Listen…

Trusting my instinct
concentrating
feeling its needs
eavesdropping
whispering
to myself.

Butterflies and Pebbles

Go into this week
with the attitude that
your peace,
your health of mind,
and your heart
mean more than
getting everything else done.

Making Peace

School Assignment

A voice from the dark called out,
“The poets must give us
imagination of peace, to oust the intense, familiar
imagination of disaster. Peace, not only
the absence of war.”

Senses

“Standing at the edge of my fears
And contemplating them
Is a healthy exercise.
The extent of the boundaries
Of who I believe myself to be.

It’s time

Far in the Champagne in midsummer green
where poppy bloom between grave crosses
the grasses whisper and sway gently
in the wind, that gently sweeps over the graveyard

Mothers Mending

After the tussle—or would you call it
a clash?—we stitch the torn uniforms
you men bring home.

Little needle, glint and glide …