My Afro

My Afro's a crown.
Standing proudly on my head,
curling, coiling and twisting.
She's cocky.

When I think I have control she spits coconut and Jamaican castor oil.
I strap her down, grab one of her strands.

Twisting it around itself, until it forms a knot; she relents.
Then i grab another and another until shes completely bound.
She stays that way until i release her.

I run my fingers through her tresses.
she loosens.
Wild curls in every direction.

A middle ground.

16th Street

Life
Black life.

There's always been a difference.

Black life is fragile like a flickering flame.
Extinguished at the slightest infraction.
Four shimmering stars became a great American tragedy.

Shinning light on ugly truths,
making the nation see that terrorists weren't a far off notion, but right here on our soil.

Addie
Denise
Carole
and Cynthia are sewn into the fabric of America.
Putting a face to the plight of millions.