Life or something like it....

A piece written as a free write

Strength.

Hard and Cracked
are heels

on feet.

Delicately arched insteps ache

to tell the roads she's walked.

Love.

On small hands

lay calloused palms

yet they exude comforting
caresses to the aching souls and bodies

of her offspring .

Hurt.

Youth-like traces play
peek-a-boo in laugh line spaces
near pupils where almost four score of hardship
has been meshed into less than two.

She walks

chin high

as crooked fingers of
a friendless society
points in her face
and pokes her back
her prideful black back that doesn't bend
and dark eyes remain dry.


She...
is strong

She...
is love


She....
is hurt

She...

is tired

She
is almost home
and to the arms of
a strong black man
where

she is naked

she is bleeding

she bends to bask in

the comfort he gives.

and in those arms
she weeps.