Different Dreams Poem by Shahid Solomon

I am still so naïve; I know pretty much what I like and dislike; but please, don't ask me who I am. A passionate, fragmentary girl, maybe? "
― Sylvia Plath

Streets of lace, class, crime, shabby cars and dead poets
Joburg Cape Town KwaThema Observatory Katlehong
Mixed race daughters
Wild, true and certain
Afrika burning in soft eyes of glory and mystery

Crossings, crossings, crossings
Transitions, angelic suicides, your Schoolgirl Eyes
Searching me for Truth, my pockets are empty
Handbag contents strewn on jaded pavement

Declarations slipping too soon from lips hungry to consume
My hand to catch your bile with shameless intent
Treat me well and I shall be loyal
Treat me loyal and I shall be well

A Bar thick with painted blondes and destiny
The jewels in mama's blouse
I am the shattered heart that will look after you
I am wind, rain and moon
You are the sun, shadow and soil

She reigns with majesty and cheesecake
I close my eyes to picture Acapulco, Geneva, Bali
All I see is my desire
To know the Unknowable

Homeless, feckless, reckless
This is how Black People live
Dancing Radar Love in broken lyrics, my unbald head
Smiles in the Theatre Mirror
Her smashing black locks
Stop thinking about me…
Stop thinking about her…

Not good, too good, not bad, too bad
Almost gorgeous, take a jam jar
Almost pretty, fix my collar
Almost everything, pay the taxi