“If the Black woman wasn’t born, she would have to be invented.” -Nikki Giovanni
she has what most women
buy, beg, borrow and steal
to make their own…
She is easy in herself
and graceful without care
of trial
she is humble in such things,
although knowledgeable
she possesses a wisdom in this
that would not be found in others
she realizes that a wink
from her eye can cause heart
rates to quicken, and stride
in her legs cause others to follow
and the scent that lingers on her skin
can cause thought processes
to linger, stir, and reconfigure, perhaps focusing on her
this alluring revelation she revels in…
She cannot be placed,
and neither can she be forgotten
she lingers, lies in memory and thought…
However, while relishing such powers,
she rarely gives thought to it
its not a forethought
she would like it more that way
much simpler, more fluid
much like she is
albeit she is a mix of
beauty, style with boldness
and strength…with mischief to match
she is a creature of habit
and a creator of her
own destiny
she lives as she breathes…
Fully, freely.
-Jennifer Bush (now Harris), 2004
