Black women’s faces are so expressive because we have
always been perceived to be in the position of servants
meant to bow politely
and with aggressive humility
enjoy giving service to the man or woman above us
She’s not sassy because she wants to be
but because she has to be.
Because the sheer absurdity of other people’s realities encroaching on her ability to live freely necessitates comment even if she is not allowed to speak.
–A. Long
breath into each tear
let
the hurting come
the warm salt fill you up
each splatter stain
eases pain
The Strivers Row poet Joshua Bennett counts down all the things he wants to say to a black woman.
ever been kidnapped
by a poet
if i were a poet
i’d kidnap youput you in my phrases
and meter you to jones beach
or maybe coney island
or maybe just to my houselyric you in lilacs
dash you in the rain
alliterate the beach
to complement my seeplay the lyre for you
ode you with my love song
anything to win you
wrap you in the red Black green
show you off to mamayeah if i were
a poet i’d kid
nap you
Nikki Giiovanni
Tribute to Trayvon Martin from various Black actors and comedians
The Poetry Corner 