solitary (originally published as Soledad)



i have tried
to be beautiful
i have sung
when singing
was brother to pain

i have run
with my arms stretched out
and it slowed me down

i have called you
ever and lasting
and done and begin

i have held you
in a lullaby
when there was no sunrise
when my beliefs became
dry and brittle like bread
in the sun

i have shed many songs
that the birds came and ate

and this

is the only one
i remember


By Bro. Yao(Hoke S. Glover III)

Originally Published in Beyond The Frontier: Edited by Ethelbert Miller Black Classic Press, 2002