I am

(and am from)

love soft

planet sized

peaches

on my Aunt Bertha’s porch–

Augusta, Georgia–

Jim Crow USA–

 

And surreptitious sips

Of my Uncle’s bootleg whiskey.

 

I am from proud, cross town strivers

And Up South stoops

Where we dreamed

And saw some dreams die.

 

I’m from

Black Doctors

Plumbers

Electricians

Hustlers.

 

Bent backs rare as

White classmates after 1960.

 

I am from Verdi love

Tawanna Perkins love

Ballet love

And the way light skinned Butch crooned

Motherfucker

 

Third eyes

Dreamboat thighs

Debussy and Hendrix

 

I am more flawed than a factory second–

Angrier and sweeter than you think.

 

I ask for a table for two

Even when dining alone.