Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Asha Bandele, Tanarive Due, Iyanla Vanzant, Octavia Butler
Inside the books
on my crowded shelves
lives God
written by women
who channeled
their gifts and birthed worlds
I’ve had the pleasure to travel
words
that have stripped me
down to nakedness
and frantically I’ve searched
my flesh for answers
stripped my mind
until I’ve spoken words
that honored my knowing.
women
who have challenged
me to pry
open my mouth
and speak my sounds
into existence
women
who have inspired me
clamor under rain
and dance self-worth
women
whose words have sat me down
and feed me
life’s cruel beauties
sometimes their words
felt crammed down my throat
-Kiana Davis
. It can be purchased here.
. It can be purchased here.