Audre

Audre

Dorothy Johnson-Laird

 

“I have been a woman for a long time, beware my smile” 

                          Audre Lorde

 

you said a woman must look deep into her soul, uncover it 

you with lived in eyes, sharing hands 

 

I never met you, but I imagine you leaping over fences without fear  

I keep your picture above my desk, turn to it when I am weak 

your eyes alone tell me not to give up 

 

I imagine the joy you carved out of your life 

as juice is squeezed from coconut 

I imagine you in long flowing trousers 

easily finding shells along the ocean you loved, St. Croix

 

Audre, I see your face, feel its warmth 

am inspired by your gift 

of sand  stories  stars  

I remember your honesty and I am no longer afraid to name myself 

poet       warrior 

 

 

 

Dorothy Johnson-Laird is a poet and social worker who lives in New York City. She received an M.F.A in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Dorothy also has a passion for African music. She has published music journalism with www.afropop.org and www.worldmusiccentral.org. Recent poems appeared in Aji, Cantos, Pomona Valley Review, and Pedestal Magazine, among others. Her poems were also published in the anthology, “Alchemy and Miracles: Nature Woven Into Words.” More of Dorothy’s poetry can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083698660157