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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Waltz No. 9

Anger used to deafen me,

Now it comes out in keystrokes,

With heated fingertips,

I write history,

Eat ether,

Drink whisky,

Breathe fire,

Endlessly

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Fear is a Four Letter Word

Free yourself,

Float away from thoughts of what could’ve been done better.

Adore yourself,

Each scar, each scrape – each idiosyncrasy.

Embrace yourself,

Dance around the room foolishly, own each minute of it.

Live for yourself,

Everything else? Just dust to wisp off your fingertips.

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Perspective

Whether fault belongs to you
Or in truth, may lie with me
It’s all about perspective
All that matter’s what you see

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King of the Outsiders

The contrast is stark,

Naked, breathing, bleeding.

Not lost in the delirium,

“Love is patient, love is kind,”

Said some sad sap before it all ended –

Love is lovely, but my soul is mine,

My debts,

Pain, sorrow,

All divine.

Dancing on a mountain side,

Alone under the fiery sky.