Black boy brown
with sky in his
head dreams world
without violence
Multitude of ancestors
cradles me to sleep
when the
gunshots rang like church bells
The siren squealed a death knoll. Circus lights approaching the madness of a chalked
gingerbread man who ran away from home into the safe arms of his homies. Now his
blood streams red like a river current searching for a mouth. The tin and brine captured
the night air. Sunlight streams marked with dark spots warn not to cross this line.
The news crews
point their camera
shoot.
Witness says Keyshawn was always such a nice boy. He helped her
bring in her groceries
on more than one occasion.
raised money to help.
those in West Africa for the Ebola crisis.
earned straight A’s at that all white high school.
on the Northside.
Black boy brown
with sky in his
head dreams world
without violence
Nostalgia (Inspired by Momma Brenda’s* “Take Me Back”)
I remember when my days were carefree and all I had to worry about was me
And if I had one cent
It would be spent at Ms. Johnson’s store on a bag of a penny candy filled with Strawberry Chews and
Fruit Punch Frooties
Now that one cent is going towards the rent
Because every penny counts
I remember when I was ten
Waiting for summer to begin
So I could ride my Schwinn
Down the brick hill on 99th and Longwood
Feeling those bumps underneath my seat
I had to repeat
Now the road is paved and smooth like any other road
I remember when I was thirteen
The Backstreet Boys posters plastered my wall
So thick I couldn’t see the paint
Now baby blue provides background for Sheros, like Margret Cho and Ursula Burns, questions and
I remember when I was thirteen
Mr. Robinson entered my eighth grade class
Taught us about Maya Angelou
Then I knew poetry was for me
I stood in front in of the crowd
Though I didn’t make it past the second round
It was a good place to begin
Now I rock mics from coast to coast
Been at Soul Speak, Soul Restoration, Libby Elementary and Mays Elementary, Rainbow Room in
Memphis, and even been on TCMRadio.
I don’t mean to brag or boast
But this is what I remember most
About Back in the Day.
*Momma Brenda was a well-known Chicago area spoken word poet. Her poem “Take Me Back” has a similar theme to :Nostalgia.”
Chirskira Caillouet, award winning author of Honey Licorice, captures the human experience through written and spoken word, teaches children, and cares for her family. She lives in Beverly.
Thank you!