Miracles in Black
Dedicated to all the beautiful black women that I have
known and who have helped me to be the
man that I am. To my grandmothers, my mothers, my
sisters, and my friends…you are miracles.
From the faded dresses in muted colors
Clean, starched and ironed
To the well-worn stockings brown and stitched
Matching brown threads carefully concealed
Huge purses and little pocketbooks that
Carried a storehouse and treasure chest
Of remedies and solutions for the slightest pain
To the most puzzling dilemma
Shoes, that defied time and use
Heels and soles replaced more than once
Shielding feet that knew their way in the dark
Mile after arduous mile traversed one step at a time
A journey not envied or even admired
Except by the few who looked closely
And watched carefully enough to see
These miracles in Black
Beautiful black faces, smooth soft skin
Smoother to the hand than imagined
Softer to the touch than the eye could perceive
Beautiful faces
Braided, plaited, twisted, pressed or covered with a head rag
Beautiful, strong, thick, black hair
Crowning the glory and the face
Of unstinted beauty and exceptional blackness
Hands that carried their own stories
Life etched and worn into the very flesh
Revealing labors endured, hurts and pain
Telling incredible tales without a word
Same hands that closed the eyes of the dead
Were the same hands that delivered the living
Trading the gift of time and troubles
For food in a can or a jar
Great faith in themselves and a higher authority
Trusting in the power of goodness and right
Willing to obey a wise instruction, but daring to
Question authority, humble enough to repent if wrong
Always suspicious of power and its use
Fearful, yet courageous in the face of terror
Quietly, subtly undoing the domination
Of black minds and black bodies
Women, black women, my mothers, my grandmothers
My sisters, my friends, black women who persevered
Against a constant set of odds
Prevailing where few could have endured
A clean body and a rested soul
Sanctified spirit and a pure heart
Generous mind and open arms
Giving to others without thought of return
Living a life with grace and beauty
Living with wonderful strength and power
Reflected deeply in the smooth and delicate
Darkness of their skin
They were and are perfect models
For living and loving life
For loving yourself and the world around you
For turning shadowy dreams into living reality
Living miracles, the miracles in Black
Asante’ March 4, 2005