Nursery Rhymes in Black
Poetry must come from somewhere that is more than the sum of family, race, education, history, culture, gender, pain, and passion. Every poet, of course, draws on as much, but why is it that so many Black women poets’ where-from place is more compelling? Their language and observations more forceful? A Pushcart nominee and Tom Howard Poetry Prize winner, Latorial Faison’s southern Virginia childhood, the memories of oppressed ancestors she memorializes, and her acute sense of the Black American experience all ground her work in a singular place. She teaches creative writing and English at Virginia State University.
Sunrise Service
For as long as Mama lived
there had always been an Easter Sunday
morning in a Black church.Pink, yellow, magenta & teal dresses
matching hair ribbons, Shirley Temple curls
five & dime store barrettesBlack patent leather shoes, bobby socks,
sunrise service with sausage, eggs, grits, bacon, or ham
that somebody like Mama, Mr. Will-B, or Mrs. Emma Lou cookedSunday school & staring at my reflection
in my black patent leather shoes—
the prettiest things I thought I ever ownedThe Savior was risen, the food was blessed
We all ate, drank & went out into our own
Mount of Olives again.
Reviewed by
Matt Sutherland
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