Author: Hayden Winston

Hayden Winston (né Hayden Winston Smith Jr.) is a Black, bisexual, novelist, poet, and activist. He holds a BSc in Criminal Justice and a Master of Legal Studies. His works draw on his experiences growing up in Los Angeles as a QPOC and the child of West Indian immigrants. He writes in English, French, and occasionally Kwéyòl. He resides in Northern California with his husband and their two cattle dog mixes.
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July

i
just want a little respect, a bit more consideration,
body – all pain and determination

ii
writhing in the sunlight, kissing the sky,
watching the tides rise and die

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San Francisco

Cool clean air and remnants of the past line the avenues.

Cafés on every other corner, magic spent with a love that’s true.

Loves, lives long lost – extinct.

Enveloped in the winding hills,

Entranced by hazy blue skies,

Could use another week (a month, a year) away,

Lost in the city by the bay.

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Ode to Cigarettes

No regrets,

although, I have to let you go,

We’ve been together since …16?

hurt,

happy,

wild young thing,

and you holding me,

caressing the night air like silk.

Every time we’re together

  I

fall,

choke on nothing,

head light,

s p i n n i n g,

Don’t cry my dear,

this is our sweet end.

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An Afternoon in Muir Woods

Green, endless green,

Sunlight dripping in through canopies of redwoods –

Birds, wasps, and bees buzzing about,

leaves at peace in the breeze.

green, endless green,

soul at ease.

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(Dis)affected.

Pay my taxes,
punch the clock,
Raise my own hell,
don’t do you no harm.
Get off my back man,
take a minute,
hurry up!
Last cigarette,
I promise.
Running around,
pure electricity,
Keys in the front door,
sweet relief.
A day in the wilderness,
calm release.
Otherwise, its the bourgeois maze.
Gotta form a plan,
get out.
Eternal freedom,
no doubts.