To be a touchstone (whisper to a predator on full-blue moon Samhain 2020)

So much I have learned about myself


about people and patience


about self-esteem and courage


about human weakness
(what is a touchstone?)


and empathy for the wounded

I stand on my principles


regardless of the consequences


presented to me because


that is the woman


my mother and my father raised

My seizures are God’s reminder to


make my voice heard and


be the person I am who I NAME

You just happened to meet me


as I was emerging from a long journey


through anxiety while claiming


full humanity and watching you watch me

You, being free of


subservience and self-demeaning


came partially to you but


you don’t understand it from a


Black woman’s perspective.


You see it but you are not


empathetic to it

Do you remember how

You were talking about how

your father


neglected you emotionally,


made you feel inadequate


how much of that you inherited


how you carried something in you


escaping release and expression


life is not a singularity of edge

you asked for this

so be a grownup and

respond like a grownup

you are not a fucking robot and

social justice work is hard on my brain

especially when some folk

sometimes including you

mansplain or red-bone-splain

themselves while using their/your privileges to

complete agendas at the expense of

the routinely ignored and oppressed

though you don’t see it that way or

you may not intend it that way as

you fulfill your own needs and as

you avoid conflict because

you are wounded and

you are feeding on others to heal

me most of all, the one who still loves you

the one telling you need help and prayer.