A Tree’s Memory

She remembered a sky glowing red

Noises in her head

Figures that screamed

Others that whispered

And some that bled

She remembered joyful wonder

Cries of surrender

Stars that wept

Nights when she slept

On a warm earth

Nothing else beneath

No sheets no shields

She remembered before she was this magnificent tree

She was a woman

Wondering what she’ll be

When this earth turns to dust

Darkness

Did you ever think to bring a second candle?
The optimist in you did not think the darkness will last
The wax dripping off of its handle
As it burns much too fast
But I who’s seen darkness, I who was birthed away from light
I hoard all the candles
Fearing that they might
Not be enough

Heaven

Some days I crave a sun so bright

Instead of Memphis rain

And people that can say my real name

Some days I feel my skin turning back

A darker shade close to black

And I hear my roots calling me home

But most days I know I am not alone

In feeling so far away from home

We’re all immigrants after all

Waiting for the call

To return to heaven

Walking Desert

I never thought it a desert

Nor did I ever judge the sands

I thought it a home

That I could hold in the palm of my hands

Sticking to my curly hair

And the shoes I wear

I became a walking desert

Completely unaware

Of the sands of my people

Clinging to my form

I wore as proudly as a soldier

Wearing his uniform

 

 

Slipping

Time is slipping away

And I hoped you would stay

But I’ll be slipping too

I wished you well

I wished you good

I’ve done all I know I could

But time

Is my enemy and time is my friend

I wished I could see it till the end

But time is slipping away

And I will be slipping too