after they branded her
betrayer
she became
a vagabond
slinking behind
trees
jumping
over skeletons
every time she spat
a story got
lost
but for coyote
licking at her phlegm
From 4-Headed
Woman Tia Chucha Press [2013] by Opal Palmer Adisa
Biography & Picture of Opal Palmer Adisa
Biography & Picture of Opal Palmer Adisa
ME
me the enslaved
who ran to the hills
me the tallawah woman
machete aimed and blow delivered
me the one whose feet
would not be bound
whose womb would never carry massa’’s blood
me the tegreg gal
goddaughter of campung nanny
whose mouth sourer than lime and
vinegar
me the duppy spirit confusing the
confused
me not
the objective case of i
but the subject of self
me that refuse hand-me-down
second class
me the squatter
the so-help-me-god
fi me picknie dem gwane have more
me with the hunger wanting to nyam
me up and the empty bancra balanced
on me head
me with chigger foot
and yaws mouth
me doing the yanga
wheeling and turning
until spirits ride me
who me not me
couldn’’t be then
is who
me who leggo and is called
by many names
me who between you and me
tired of the hustling and
disrespect
me yes
me
the same one
who know she nice
me who mind me own business
and keep meself safe
is me
same one
From I Name Me Name Peepal Tree Press [2008]
