Jun 29
A Litany for Survival by Audre Lorde For those of us who live at the shorelinestanding upon the constant edges of decisioncrucial and alonefor those of us who cannot indulgethe passing dreams of choicewho love in doorways coming and goingin the hours between dawnslooking inward and outwardat once before and afterseeking a now that can …
Jun 28
Incident by Natasha Trethewey We tell the story every year—how we peered from the windows, shades drawn—though nothing really happened,the charred grass now green again. We peered from the windows, shades drawn,at the cross trussed like a Christmas tree,the charred grass still green. Thenwe darkened our rooms, lit the hurricane lamps. At the cross trussed …
Jun 27
First Fire by Camille T. Dungy Stripped in a flamedance, the bluff backing our housesquivered in wet-black skin. A shawl of haze tugged tightaround the starkness. We could have choked on August. Smoke thick in our throats, nearly naked as the earth,we played bare feet over the heat caught in asphalt.Could we, green girls, have …
Jun 26
America by Claude McKay Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,And sinks into my throat her tiger’s tooth,Stealing my breath of life, I will confessI love this cultured hell that tests my youth.Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,Giving me strength erect against her hate,Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.Yet, as a …
Jun 25
Unnatural State of the Unicorn by Yusef Komunyakaa Introduce me first as a man.Don’t mention superficial laurelsthe dead heap up on the living.I am a man. Cut me & I bleed.Before embossed limited editions,before fat artichoke hearts marinatedin rich sauce & served with imported wines,before antics & Agnus Dei,before the stars in your eyesmean birth …
