She writes words
That will never be read
She thinks thoughts
That will never be heard
A tainted sweat
Slips from between her thighs

On the porch on scorching summer nights
She sits & listen to the words
Of the old Grandmothers' of the family
Their voices ringing with history
Raising & falling like waves on the beach

Between the symphonies of hallelujah & amen in church
Her soul hides away while others reach to bring god to them

During idle moments she listens
To the sweet voices of aunties
Cooing to fitful nieces & nephews in their arms
"Do-do, ti pitit manman"
Sleep sleep, mother's little baby

She watches the naked innocence of children
Running through the streets
Their premature spirits shining in the Sun
Whatever spirit she had has died
Whatever spirit she had was forced out of her
Whatever spirit she had will never be regenerated

The years pass
The memories are pushed back
Her eyes grow sunken & dark
The last bits of her humanity
Fan out behind her
Like the folds of summer dresses
Pulled off to escape the heat of the day

And yet a fire still burns inside her
A growing ember
To everyone who witnesses her beauty
She glistens....
With the dust of fading stars