"My Sisters," A Poetry Post

Every time I feel frustrated by life's situations,
I remember that my sisters
in Africa
have had to wash their
dishes and their
clothes in the river...
and walk for days to get to church...
and walk for hours to get to school...
and had to survive the intrusions of militias...
and the political mismanagement of
various despots.

My sisters,
I can hold up my head
knowing how you have
carried weighed down
baskets and buckets
on your heads with
perfect posture.

My sisters,
I am aware of the lush life
I am afforded
by birth.

And yet,
I am aware of the
rich lineage
from which I come.

-T. D. James-Moss

"Raising Up Boys," A Poetry Post

This is what you do when
a trusted authority
gives you an instruction:
obey, obey, obey.

But,
there is a time to
civilly disobey and
rebel for the
sake of all
involved.

Harness your anger.
Examine it.
Manipulate and
qualify it to
determine its
righteousness.

However,
if it is righteous,
pray for the wisdom to
use it to
destroy strongholds.

Be kind and chivalrous to
humble women,
but respectfully distant from
loose ones.

Sit quietly and observe before
responding,
but respond strongly
when appropriate.

Be a man worthy of
respect and reverence,
love and appreciation,
honor.

And above all,
remember that we,
your momma and your
dad,
believe in your ability
to know
when to rage and
when to simmer;
when to bellow and
when to back down;
when to hold up and
when to cry holy.

We believe that
you and God will know
which super powers to use
and when.

-T. D. James-Moss