Romare Bearden
Conjur Woman, 1964
for Romare ‘64
she who conjures worlds
unearths the luck of numbers
ensures the promise
of a lover’s smile
answers prayers
with herb.heart.&hand.
Robert Pruitt
Silk & Soul, 2007
for Nina & Robert
nina
somewhere in the world
a brown girl wears your face
defines diaspora
every time she traces
contour lines
across forehead
eyelids
nose & cheeks
purses her lips
in full defiance of everything
she's ever been told
and says:
"now tell me I ain't beautiful"
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye
The Root, 2011
for Lynette
at the root of this
lies my love’s kiss/ its offer
a welcomed refuge
from a world
without sweetness
& nights spent dancing alone
Romare Bearden
Conjure Woman, 1964
for Romare ‘64 #2
set out ‘round midnight
take the path carved
by full moon
shadows & starlight
straighten your back.breathe.
knock on the door
made of wood and bone
here you will find me
a friend to the
charms of the night
with leaf in one hand
what ails you in the other
your prayers answered by daylight
Jacob Lawrence
The Migration Series, Panel no. 3: From every southern town migrants left by the hundreds to travel north., 1940-1941
for Jacob
told we are not men
we cross the mason-dixon
backs straight as steel beams
Romare Bearden
Bayou Fever, The Herb Woman, 1979
for Romare ‘79
take me to
the herb woman
don’t wanna see
no white coat for what I got
need somebody
who knows how
to bring back somebody
you ain’t heard from in 5 days
& ain’t seen in 8
take me to someone
with hands & a heart
like my own
Barkley L. Hendricks
Lawdy Mama, 1969
for Barkley
girl, don’t pay no mind
to what they say. I see you.
& you is golden.
Dawoud Bey
The Blues Singer, Harlem, New York, ca. 1975
for Dawoud & The Blues Singer
bluesman with mouth filled
wide with blue noted laughter
sing me where you from.
teach me your song. show me how
to dance amongst the rubble.