ANEW : girlhood

Sent: 4/23/2005 10:46 PM


When I was a child,
I had a limp wrist.
My arm would rise up
as my hand dangled below.
Every time daddy saw me
carrying myself so,
he would slap my hand down,
training me to be a boy.
Boy oh boy.

When I was a child,
I was a pretty girl.
My hair a strawberry blonde
with naturally curly locks.
Every time mommy heard
such candid remarks,
she would clip off my hair,
so the presumption would stop.
Clippity clop.

Yet somehow girlhood
never got chopped off.

ANEW : pool

Sent: 4/12/2005 11:59 PM


she teaches
that you there
rushing
through water
to save the others
drowning
not knowing
how to swim
and
knowing not
how to swim
in a muddy pool
must save yourself
before drowning
others

ANEW : laundry coffee

Sent: 4/12/2005 11:19 PM


he was a fifth grader
in a chair pulled up in front
of the dryers
fast asleep
who when awoke to see me
said, i need some coffee

ANEW : i am a leper

Sent: 4/3/2005 1:39 AM


i am a leper.
my skin is scarred in droplets of red,
cracked cells.
they ooze and bleed.
people fear my touch,
and shun my smile.
i am ignored.
i feel i am a disease.
something to be feared and rejected.
and for that,
forgive me.

now they are healing and becoming different.
and you accept them and ignore them
and send me a grin of hi.
and i'm suddenly noticed
and wonder how those spots
lead me to believe
that i was alienated
by society
yet i was,
and for that,
forgive us all.

ANEW : this thing in me

Sent: 4/2/2005 10:16 PM


this thing in me
that has to get this way
to spill my guts
and be open
about everything
that is
for me

this longing in me
that i want this way
to be understood
and not be alone
about my feeling
that moment
today

this damning in me
that needs to cry
to offer my tears
and repent
about being me
that chad
through Grace

this hoping in me
that seeks divine guidance
to the way to go
and believe
about the Love
that's given
To me

this thing is
Me
looking for Place.