Category Archives: black feminism

a Prose for Fannie Lou Hamer’s

fannielouhamer2

 

She stood by the bedside of Jordan.  A lotus.  Feet grown from delta mud.  She was creation.  Exploded from chaos.  A holistic believer.

Ruleville, Mississippi.  Crooked state.  Chosen land.  Eternal cost.  Chosen woman.  Creased face.  Her memory wavers like an untuned church organ.

If you see her.  Tell her you remember.  Her protected skin that matched night.  Unafraid.  Sleep patterned to that of bats.  Called upon.  Like Nut and Shu.  To uphold the heavens.  Keep young mouths breathing.  When tempted to swallow swollen faith.  She followed the dust and escaped through the vents.

Continue reading a Prose for Fannie Lou Hamer’s

Advertisement

Sister SOS (Inspired by Kathleen Cleaver)

She’s heard more eulogies than poetry so I wrote this for her.

Amidst the sips of licorice tea, I asked her
“what would she do differently.”

She replied she’d “love as fearlessly as she fought
take more time,
soak the greens instead of rinse ’em”
research his heart as she did antiquity.

She truly believed that for years she had a melody
but never a song
no vibration
no balance
“conquer your souls duality” she told me
the world is depending on you to love
surrender, Sister.

kathleencleaver

Nikki Skies, ©2007 Published in anthology of “His Rib: Stories Poems & Essays by HER” by Penmanship Publishing Group

Article: Remembering the Life, Love and Legacy of Audre Lorde

The necessity of writers allowing their words to root and grow into essays, poems and stories is courage and a display of effortless perseverance. My new studies in Africana Women’s Studies, is adorned with critics and contributions of Audre Lorde. I was familiar with her work before I re-entered school but I didn’t understand the magnitude of her contributions because I was unaware she had created a grand portion of the language. Her love of equality and freedom for people of color, women and artists is something to be studied. Please enjoy the article below on Ms. Audre Lorde!

Remembering the Life, Love and Legacy of Audre Lorde

 

20:30 A.D.

tiredblackwoman

Ain’t nobody talking about it
But,
the strong black woman is tired by Tuesday.
and on Thursday,
She buries another virtue so Friday morning can be a
little lighter

let’s admit,

She goes for unavailable men
cause of Her father’s absence.
And today
it’s your problem
cause your daughter plays with Her daughter

So
I need you,
To care for her.

-nikki skies

from the book “Pocket Honey Wind & Hips”