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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Je refuse

No more forced smiles

Feigned concern

Silencing the wiser voice

I promised 

And I sure as hell meant it

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Le Monde

 
Les corps en émoi,
L’âmes en pleurs,

Les particules cosmiques s’écrasent au profond de nous,
Nous sommes tous des Adams/nous sommes tous des atomes.

Les cœurs naviguent,
Les esprits rêvent d’un meilleur moment et endroit.

Nourrissez-nous de lumière, d’eau, d’air,
Dispersez-nous au vent, enterrez-nous dans la terre.

La violence nous ronge,
Tragédie après tragédie après tragédie.

Les vies disparaissent comme un feu sauvage,
Si nous ne progressons pas, nous sommes condamnés à la supernova.

Des destructions inimaginables,
Perdues toujours dans les profondeurs de l’historie.

Continue reading “Le Monde”
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Oaxaca is Burning 

I awaken to countless voices screaming,

From Damascus to Oaxaca, I can hear each one pleading,

For change, protection, freedom,

And here in the land of the free, what are we offering them?

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Ode to Orlando

 

(Photo: taken 6/13 at the LGBT Center’s Rally/Vigil for Orlando at Los Angeles City Hall)

In the wake of our worst fears, we vow to remain unmoved

Devastated by a hate that seeks to destroy us, we vow to continue to love