Brown Ivory.

BROWN IVORY.

BEE SMITH, SHADES OF NOIR.

Beautiful bleeding broken sisters When I look at you I see hurricanes and twisters When I look at you I see gradients of holiness Touching colors of the earth You are spring You are summer You are autumns opaque gift to each other

My sisters sing!My sisters sing!

Always competing Running a race with my mothers mirror My father’s sister My auntie’s friends Ribbons of black that tie around ankles and allow me to fly

My sisters sing My sisters sing Oh my beautiful brown sisters please sing! For it is my favorite song and I cannot hold the note without you.

Oh what skin you seek to look no further then behind the iris Your warm waves of brown crashing against each other Endless we are together Strong we must unite

I see you there brown ivory golden glory black plumes All the hues and sunlight live in your eyes and reflect in me

My sisters sing!My sisters sing!My sisters sing!

Do not hate your folded pages Your creased edges Her cracked spine Their faded text We are all written in god’s own handwriting, scriptures spoke us into song And song into sport