The Black Unicorn Poems

For those of us who were imprinted with fear

like a faint line in the center of our foreheads learning to be afraid with our mother's milk for by this weapon

this illusion of some safety to be found the heavy-footed hoped to silence us

For all of us this instant and this triumph

We were never meant to survive.

And when the sun rises we are afraid it might not remain

when the sun sets we are afraid it might not rise in the morning

when our stomachs are full we are afraid of indigestion

when our stomachs are empty we are afraid we may never eat again

when we are loved we are afraid love will vanish

when we are alone we are afraid love will never return

and when we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed

but when we are silent we are still afraid.

So it is better to speak remembering

we were never meant to survive.

Sun make me whole again to love the shattered truths of me spilling out like dragon’s teeth through the hot lies of those who say they love me

Thunder is a woman with braided hair spelling the fas of Shango asleep between sacred pythons that cannot read nor eat the ritual offerings of the Asein.

I have heard you calling across this land in my blood before meeting and I greet you again