La-tee-da
Are you well pleased
Mr. Some-kind-of-sicko,
Anointed squasher
of humanity.
Squeezer of
life blood arteries.
Bare down.
Full weight.
See what happens…
cracks or splats
like black shellbug
on pavement.
Looks like you were
whistling in your head…
What merry tune?
La tee da!
Hand in pocket.
Got all day.
Press. Grind. Reposition
for maximum pain.
Push that knee
into that neck…
He might resist.
Black shellbug man resists
while dead.
ARE you well pleased
Mr. Anointed Suffocator-
Asphyxiator, S. O. B!
Smirking still?
Did George Floyd’s soul
pop
from his body-
or ooze warm like his urine
and breath-
squeezed out under
your getting off power-
hand in pocket
La tee da!
Face full of well pleased.
Floyd’s face full of street debris.
La tee da…
another day.
A black thing ‘neath
your telling eyes and
murderous knee.
Brenda Cave-James c6/20
Sweet Memories
Aromas…
sights and sounds of Easter!
Oohs and Ahhs, vibrant hues
of turquoise, violet coloured eggs…
Yellow Daffodils in vase.
Nana’s fuchsia feathered hat
(high heels to match)
Marshmallow peeps, spiced jelly beans-
Purple foil means sweet glazed ham!
Butter whipped potatoes
in Auntie’s covered casserole.
Mac and cheese, Collard greens-
Asparagus with Hollandaise…
Daddy’s eyes like big bright coins, at
yeast dough rising high in bowls
for braided bread
and cinnamon rolls-
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
New patent leather shoes and dress?
Press and curl-
“Be still, girl!
Did you learn your Easter verse?”
“Yes, Momma Dear! Oh, may I have…?”
“No, uh uh uh!
Get chocolate on those white gloves- hear?”
Brenda Cave-James c3/20
Copyright cc: Brenda Cave James
Photo by Josh Olalde on Unsplash
AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED: April 8 at 6pm CIVIL RIGHTS ICON MARY FRANCES BERRY AND CARIBBEAN MIGRATION SPECIALIST HILARY HICKLING REGISTER NOW!
Since the summer of 2019, the United States has been in the midst of a national conversation about race and ethnicity. From both local and global perspectives, Dr. Mary Frances Berry and Dr. Hilary Robertson Hickling will present on the theme of The 3 Rs: The Road to Reparations and Reconciliation on April 8th and Dr. Calvin Mackie will present on April 14th. These conversations are part of Binghamton University’s ongoing commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation initiative sponsored by the Tubman Center. Co-sponsored by a host of campus partners including the Multicultural Resource Center and Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Register to attend bit.ly/TRCguest.
Find Anne C. Bailey's non-fiction book : 