The Proctors

Hadn't given them
nary a thought in ages
Tales from my childhood

Our urban legend:
light-skinned, blue-eyed
married kith and kin

Comfort in Food

One
Weigh and pay for eggs
sausage, scrapple and home fries
Morning comfort food

Two
The tea's temp: just right
For today's chilly morning
Comfort in a cup

Taking Care of Myself

I will not allow
myself to be drawn into
those old bad habits

The flirting, caring
wanting women, half my age
It's just not healthy

FOI*

*Fruit of Islam

Why don't you ask me
Instead of seeking answers
From those that don't know

Why does it matter
My beliefs, values, or God
Christian, Muslim, Jew

What do you infer?
By my dress, manners, affect
That I'm not like you?

As Colin Powell said
Aren't we all Americans
Isn't that the thing?

"Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no. That's not America. Is there something wrong with a seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing he or she could be president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion that he is a Muslim and might have an association with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel particularly strong about this because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay, was of a mother at Arlington Cemetery and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone, and it gave his awards - Purple Heart, Bronze Star - showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death, he was 20 years old. And then at the very top of the head stone, it didn't have a Christian cross. It didn't have a Star of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith.

And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his life."

Jewelry

Thanks Dan

It's been ages since
Anybody has given me
jewelry or baubles

My style - eclectic
Not many understand that
But Dan got it right

A beaded bracelet
in my colors, classic clasp
Can't wait to wear it

BGHC (cont'd)

To get it straight, right
It took me half an hour
Sigh. Now I'll be late.

Life Functions

Only now am I
aware that my period
is seven days late

I'm convinced that the
irregularity has
more to do with meat

Winter months are filled
with comfort foods laden with
beef fed on hormones

Antibiotics,
or endocrine disruptors
confuse the body

Happy Hour

Why do salt, water
and ice chill the wine faster
than ice cubes alone?

I Love You

“I love you,” he says
I know he really means it
What do I do now?

Often unspoken
Things stir a panic inside
This time it’s what’s said

Intense confusion
When did this unexpected
Love make its debut?

What does this love mean?
Emotional baggage clouds
My heart and his words

I accept them both --
His words and the sentiment --
With difficulty

Why so troubled by
An emotion I never
Wished to inspire?

I think because it’s
Spoken, sans expectation,
That’s scaring me most

How do I respond?
How do I reciprocate?
To this newfound love?

18 Months After Surgery

Oh Gawd! My foot hurts
With each step a searing pain
Up entire leg

On the other side
Hip - responding to missteps
Has its own complaints

At night the stillness
Gives way to phantom pains, aches
Camphor and menthol

BGHC (cont'd)

Black girl's hair saga
Continues into new year
Oh! I feel pretty

But is this too much --
Flat iron, that will not burn
Curlers with end wraps

Is this too much time
Spent on a social construct?
My mid-life crisis?

Matchmaker

Refrain:
Two people, strangers
All they need is an intro
That's my cue to act

He:
A policy wonk
A geek in so many ways
Deep seriousness

She:
Serious yet fun
A nerd of a different kind
Alive with pleasure

Refrain:
Can this date be saved
He makes no effort at all
To participate

He:
Hmpf! Never again
He doesn't need help from me
He needs Toastmasters

She:
She shines in the dark
Able to negotiate
Unfamiliar lands

Refrain:
My first attempt at
Playing Cupid, Matchmaker
Won't be repeated

Lace

A short text message
An impromptu rendezvous
Lesbians await

Danger Will Robinson. Danger.

The robot isn't
Only one who needs control
Over the surround

The younger sibling
Claims power denied in youth
With intent to harm

Pilgrimage

The road to Mecca
Is not guided by intent
But struggles, angst, pain

Appearances Often Lie

Tighten up they say
Taunt skin, eyes and other things
Behold: "real" beauty

Seen from miles away
You exude a confidence
Which reveals much more

Tacos

Pork carnitas with
lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream
Oh what joy is lunch

Prayer to an Archangel

The patron saint of blind people; bodily ills; eye problems; happy meetings; insanity; lovers; mental illness; nightmares; sick people; travelers; young people

Angel Raphael
Rain your blessing down on me
In times of trouble