THE STAGNANT REASSURANCE OF THE DEAD
http://www.maverickmagazine.com/articles/232/1/THE-STAGNANT-REASSURANCE-OF-THE-DEAD/Page1.html
Taiyon Coleman
Taiyon Coleman is a member of Cave Canem, a national workshop for African-American poets, where she worked with Toi Derricotte, Cornelius Eady, Elizabeth Alexander, Nikky Finney, Michael Harper, Yusef Komunyakaa, and Sonia Sanchez. Her work has appeared in Ethos, Knotgrass, Sketch, Cave Canem Anthology IV and V, DrumVoices Revue, Sauti Mpya, Words Will Heal the Wound: A Celebration of Community Through Poetry CD Volume II, Bum Rush the Page: A Def Poetry Jam, and A View from the Loft. Recently, Taiyon was a featured reader with poet Nikki Giovanni in Chicago at the Hot House, celebrating the YWCA's national day to eliminate racism. Taiyon Coleman holds a MFA from the University of Minnesota, where she worked with Alexs Pate, Patricia Hampl, and Ray Gonzalez. She also holds a Master's and a Bachelor's degree in English from Iowa State University, where she became a Ronald McNair Scholar, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.By Taiyon Coleman
Published on 10/6/2003
when my mother comes
she is gentle
walking on air
her flip-flops make no sound
her gown hangs in no breeze
she talks to my mind
showing only soles of shoes
peeks of the bottom of her feet
she is gentle
walking on air
her flip-flops make no sound
her gown hangs in no breeze
she talks to my mind
showing only soles of shoes
peeks of the bottom of her feet
when my mother comes
she is gentle
walking on air
her flip-flops make no sound
her gown hangs in no breeze
she talks to my mind
showing only soles of shoes
peeks of the bottom of her feet
only at first i saw
her hands doing things
her hands praying
reaching for chinese food
aunt rachel's ring
she was the only girl not married
when my mother comes
she is gentle
i am not afraid
she talks quietly
taking the startle in me
she sits on
the sides of my bed
bringing scents of solace
she moves my keys
takes my tapes
flashes my lights
shakes my bed
drops loose coins
saying about men
"God will choose"
Copyright © Taiyon Coleman, 2003. All Rights Reserved.
she is gentle
walking on air
her flip-flops make no sound
her gown hangs in no breeze
she talks to my mind
showing only soles of shoes
peeks of the bottom of her feet
only at first i saw
her hands doing things
her hands praying
reaching for chinese food
aunt rachel's ring
she was the only girl not married
when my mother comes
she is gentle
i am not afraid
she talks quietly
taking the startle in me
she sits on
the sides of my bed
bringing scents of solace
she moves my keys
takes my tapes
flashes my lights
shakes my bed
drops loose coins
saying about men
"God will choose"
Copyright © Taiyon Coleman, 2003. All Rights Reserved.