Voices Whispering in My Ear

By Rudolph Lewis

There was never a one like she

who knew I was heaven-sent

who first heard my cry, cradled

me, kissed away my wild tears

cushioned arms held me to milk

dripping, bursting black nipples

Nothing was wrong her giving

herself to me, for I come apart

Her breast hummed "Please Accept

My Love” hoping to soothe a blues

child, urging me to feel I must

fight to keep it together, sweating

dying, beyond the rules

Picket lines & trigger happy policing

punish me with gnarls, empty pockets

I holler the way I must live my life

& moan to a distant lover. Nights

are long. The spirits finger feelings

treasured, I can’t hold back the music

She’s off-the-wall to give it up, dancing

sanctified—moving me, grooving me 

But there’s always he who’s ready

to take again, she I built my whole

life around, a window of promises

Who's he to judge a one-track mind

Who but me—a fantasy touch

can do more than just enough?

My sweet Jesus, what’s going on

ain’t you got time for nobody else?

A gun explodes like a nightmare

*   *   *   *   *

Juneteenth 2004