I am weary from the road.
Chest heavy, I search for
cool water,
ripe oranges,
coconut meat.
Come with me.
The river beckons.
I leave behind
what is not mine to begin with.
Let me touch honey to your tongue,
slide my fingers on your chest,
release you from your burdens.
We too are entitled to the soft places inside ourselves.
Let me rub your temples.
The Maker of Brass,
The Turtle Drummer,
The Spirit of the River,
whispers.
Claim your crowns. Take your place
among the stars.
I wash dust from my feet,
tie a shawl around my waist.
We dance.
Matt Richardson
Matt Richardson is Associate Professor in English and African and African Diaspora Studies. He is affiliated with the Center for African and African American Studies, and the Center for Women's and Gender Studies. He has published articles in The Journal of Women's History, Black Camera: A Journal Devoted to the Study and Documentation of the Black Cinematic Experience, Sexuality Research and Social Policy: Journal of the NSRC and The Journal of Women’s History, as well as works of fiction in publications like Queer Codex and Does Your Mama Know: African American Coming Out Stories. He received the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship National Fellowship for Junior Faculty and the Dean’s Fellowship in 2009.
