PROUDFLESH: A New Afrikan Journal of Culture, Politics & Consciousness

Lissette Norman

It rises from the hard times that
Hide too long in a woman’s smile.
How blood shed occurs is not strange
Nor does it happen

By accident. Sleeping with one eye
Open, mining her soul for palpable
Images of survival, she will consider your
Death each time you mistake

Her for prey. She is vigil of the ones who
Intend to slow her down until she
Loses her meaning and who, even sooner, intend
To kill her faith until she loses her

Laughter. How bloodshed occurs is not
Strange at all. Nor does it happen by accident
And if it surges from a woman’s compromised
Splendor, nothing can save you.

Citation Format:

Lissette Norman. “Warning,” PROUDFLESH: A New Afrikan Journal of Culture, Politics & Consciousness: Issue 4, 2006

Copyright © 2006 Africa Resource Center, Inc.