A Lot Has Happened…

“People who treat other people as less than human must not be surprised when the bread they have cast on the waters comes floating back to them, poisoned.” -James Baldwin, No Name in the Street (1979)

since the last time I posted. Despite the fact that we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic, many cities (including mine) have ended stay-at-home orders due to economic pressures. To add to that chaos, the death of another unarmed black man (George Floyd) at the hands of police recently circulated on the web, sparking public outrage and mass protests. If you comfortable taking to the streets with Covid-19 unabated, there are other ways to stand in solidarity with the cause (see infographic below on where to donate). Black lives matter.

Fortunately, I’ve been empowered with a new platform through which I plan to use to further the discussion about these and many other vital contemporary issues. As of last week, I’ve finalized a deal to publish my second novel, Wildflowers next year with NineStar Press. A book where the central character is unapologetically queer and black. As a QPOC, this project is extremely important to me. That said, I’m taking a little hiatus. I’ll be channeling all my energy into activism, promoting Wildflowers, and writing a new book.

Charlottesville

blood in the streets,
still I’m not surprised,
hateful hooded men who carry torches breeze past me everyday,
in the supermarket, on the subway –
cloaks and masks removed.

blood in the streets,
and somehow the opposition is to blame,
how dare we fight back against an armed, racist, mob,
don’t you know who gets to carry the pitchforks around here?
(hint: it’s not you and I)

blood in the streets,
and broken bodies out on sidewalks all summer long,
when’s it going to finally sink in?
more incendiary threats and half-baked wars,
this nation will be its own ruin.

Revolt (Prelude)


The news dulls my senses, drinking whiskey like it’s 1920

Morning light shines in on bare walls, two years and still no art up

Love crazed/cold heart, how can both reside in the same body?

Selfish lack of thought, but don’t whine about it baby

Bombs dropped for peace, yet refugees kept out, stonewalled?

All in all, rather be six feet under than continue to suffer

The time to resist is always now

e pluribus unum


“Liberty and justice for all,”

What does that mean to you?

Closed minds, closed hearts, closed borders –

Land of the free, home of the…

Fearful of those unlike us,

Of the unknown.

And what of fraternity, diversity, equality, due process?

Liberty and justice, for whom?

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?