Little Black Girls

An anthem.

HONEY CHILD
girlfriend
double-dutch
hopscotch
patty-cake
jack-throwin
roller-skatin
hula-hoopin
eye-rollin
neck-wavin
gum-poppin
foot-stompin
finger-snappin
nappy-headed
divas!

In my reverie—

April and Lisa,
Sheila and Gina,
All my girlfriends!

Yall was jealous (yes you was)
Cuz I was better than you:
Jumpin rope
Playin jacks
Chalkin up 24th Street
For some fierce hopscotch.

Humph! Or simply throwin attitude.

—I pay tribute to thee.

BOY!
Daddy thought
I’d always be
a sissy.

Fasten up that robe,
said Mama.
Girls let their robes
flare all behind them
like that, not boys.
What did I raise?

Guess they were afraid
I might lose my masculinity
that you girls were a bad influence.

They were wrong.

I am man (snap!)
I am fierce (two times!)
I am faggot (maxi-snap!)

But I will always
cherish
the little black girl
in me.


from Fumbling Toward Divinity, the book