A POC Magazine
You Can’t Tame This O-Pression “The most disrespected woman in America, is the black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America, is the black woman.”- Malcolm X I use the loose thread in my weave to sew my mouth shut Feel my dignity crawl …
Botched Autopsy of the North End no head of the family in this neck of the woods. Just. grab the liter by the neck and roll a wood. no heart of lion in the seven mile savannah just. heart of gold traded for cash cuz what if Nana need …
There Are Rules in Life like be kind. put the toilet seat down after use. wear shoes and a shirt to receive service, do the right thing always. even when you don’t know which thing is the right thing. the onus is on you to do it— it’s like my dad did. or tried to …
An Ex Calls A Dropped Call And 8 Months Later You’ve only ever known love in hindsight. The shrinking of your hometown from the back window of a two story bus– The flat line of your grandmother’s EKG as you exit the hospital parking structure– Slamming of screen door and screeching …
Anatomy the body’s sinking twists into anatomical grounds weakened with a flesh temper to give torque was called love throughout the open front. this was a boy’s war story—finding new ways to twist for the ground to cave. Tenses of Gone For my foreclosed house of birth, which still stands. The days …
Meeting Her Husband for Lunch A taste bud is a curious machine: it knows the stew but not the cook. “The man in the kitchen… Who is he?” How can she know the stew but not the cook? I answer every time: “Your husband.” “Who…? Is he-…? I was married once.” I’ve …
Documentation: The asthma attack happened inside my class we weren’t supposed to call 911 but the security guard did, and got fired a month later. the girl’s mama arrived like this was her daily lunchtime routine. the fights burst into our hallways like I was back on Hoover and 7 Mile cuz I …
words of affirmation okay. i see you. so this how you gone step out hm. you know you looking like a snack right, like a whole meal. i see your chicken noodle soup and soda on the side. you ain’t have to shine like that Black Girl. got your glow lighting this whole room, …
Fur She calls petting, grooming, White washing, curiosity She said, “doesn’t your hair come straight, I mean from the store” Which is to say She thinks My hair is an invitation For a passive aggressive, “I just want your black hair to do a good hair, I mean white hair thing, Like, can’t it be …
East Oakland The city smells like cream and sugar. Starbucks on the corner where residents need to sleep. Starbucks on the corner where residents used to work. Starbucks on the corner the local donut shop used to lease. The local donut shop fed the neighborhood. The neighborhood doesn’t get fed anymore. The neighborhood can’t sleep …