Mildred Speaks

MASKED Slithering he slowly enters your life He baits then watches Waiting, waiting patiently His strike as swift as lightning Multifaceted he is Exploiting weaknesses Everything one would pleasantly dream of, Yet the most poisonous of all. Tempting are his charms Trusting, his bait For she sees with a pure heart Ignoring the faults of all Though not oblivious to these flaws Human we are Who is human if one can't change? His words construed Masking untruths as truths Companions cowering at his feet Smirking, The thrill of the chase Waiting, waiting patiently Set at an unlevel playing field. Renew your mind, my child. It's all about the mind. Engage your mind, my child. It's all about the mind. It's a mind game The best man wins Get better at it. With elegance and candor  Outwit him Therein your strength lies. ...

SPEAK, SHE SPEAKS NOT Speak, she speaks not. Mind rattling, silenced as night Sharp her eyes, taking in the world into which she came Always buzzing, in disarray, muddied the streets are Yet boisterous are its people Marveling are the sights set before her. Family in disunion, where is the love that once was? If only understanding came home, greed died and distrust long lost. Unconditional love, she just wanted amongst them Earnestly wanting the acceptance of her people Wrapped in a world forged on her own. Head bowed, tears dripping down her cheeks Most nights she cried herself to sleep, knelt in reverence Left alone, none to comprehend Sickly her emotions are  Murmurs to herself,'Lord help me! Help me accept who I am.' Dreams of the world she could help create Vivid are they! Heavy, burdensome... A better me, a better world to create Left to despair, distraught. Then light shines forth, Sees who she truly...

I  AM... I am a proud African woman  Aflame abroad and beyond Igniting souls to reach within for their inner beauty. I am a wild flower, even in beauty, there resides  thorns with which to face the world. I am free,  having been set free from the turmoils of my mind. But even in freedom, I can never be free until  I  am free to be uniquely expressive and positively enact change.