"Burn the whole thing" and "Alice Walker's 75th Birthday Celebration, Eatonton, Georgia"
Burn the whole thing
inside out, buy ancient roots online.
Exercise and Vitamin D will help.
Meanwhile, I set an appointment
for the doctor to confirm the long
dry spells my body has reported.
It will take distance, years maybe,
to drive through this country town
with one red light: no one knows
when I entered or when I’ll leave.
Days circle black around my eyes,
drawing what little iron I have left.
Night bursts lightning, poured-out
sweat, wet everywhere except where
he wants me, because time pulls
my womb like a ship out at sea.
Alice Walker's 75th Birthday Celebration, Eatonton, Georgia
First, quiet
determination,
take less space
than a body
needed, knees
stacked neatly,
thighs so close
they equaled
one of mine.
Then, that air
couldn’t weigh,
sealed frozen
in a black wig.
I wanted to say, Honey,
we are all
visible
here.
She has taught us
to fly.
Valerie A. Smith is a PhD candidate at Georgia State University and a graduate of the Master of Arts in Professional Writing at Kennesaw State University. Smith delights in writing poetry that expresses truth.