Black Women for Beginners Pt 1
–Morgan Parker
Every time a hot comb simmers
we dread. We get hurt so often
we think it’s a nickname.

When we say we remember

we mean hurricane, hunt,
meadow, lust, duty, escape,
settle, mourn, birch, baptism,
tithe, kneel, Sphinx, throat,
offering, animal, deadwood.

We get hurt so often we never
run. Every time we lick our lips
the day obeys and repents.

Glory glory hallelujah.
Hot comb on the stove.
Train tracks in the weeds.