Mantis 19 (Spring 2021)
2020: Protest
Jerrice J. Baptiste
Pen
My ink reservoir is infused
with wise black nature, as I sleep.
.
As I write a new world opens.
With my pen, I stroke the mane
of a black horse to calm
his aching knee, then All of black
creatures, black sky, black people
are soothed, to tenderly heal
suffering.
It’s Night Again
A silk summer blanket pulled over
my agitated mind & body.
I toss & turn then curl into a ball.
I bring Nina Simone into my cocoon.
Mississippi made her lose sleep.
Singing for justice at half hour
past midnight. I get up
sit by the windowsill watch the shifting moon
Worried I will never sleep again. Only six hours
to daylight. Thinking about nonexistent
crimes excusing brutality of dark skin.
Goddamn.
Sparking Black
On my morning walks in the neighborhood
A white man wears an American flag headscarf
and strolls with a red, white and blue flag in his hands.
My heart jumps
like the spark of an engine.
I hide my brown hands in mittens or pockets
pull hood up on my tight curls. At least from behind
no one can tell my color.
How will I hide in late Spring & Summer?
Around the corner of Oak St
You Matter, she says
A white woman who’s a stranger.
We walk on opposite sides of the street
wearing blue masks.
She yells out the words again
You Matter. I want you to know that!
Tree limbs worn down,
beaten by the wind have fallen.
I say, “thank you, I know”
JERRICE J. BAPTISTE is an author of eight books. Her poems have been published or are forthcoming in The Yale Review, Penumbra Literary & Art Journal, Kosmos. Journal, The Minetta Review, The Caribbean Writer and many others. She has been writing since childhood.