That time my grandmother dragged me
through the perfume aisles at Saks, she held me up
by my arm, hissing, "Stand up,"
through clenched teeth, her eyes
bright as a dog's
cornered in the light.
She said it over and over,
as if she were Jesus,
and I were dead.She had been
solid as a tree,
a fur around her neck, a
light-skinned matron whose car was parked, who walked
on swirling
marble and passed through
brass openings--in 1945.
There was not even a black
elevator operator at Saks.
The saleswoman had brought velvet
leggings to lace me in, and cooed,
as if in service of all grandmothers.
My grandmother had smiled, but not
hungrily, not like my mother
who hated them, but wanted to please,
and they had smiled back, as if
they were wearing wooden collars.
When my legs gave out, my grandmother
dragged me up and held me like God
holds saints by the
roots of the hair.I begged her
to believe I couldn't help it.Stumbling,
her face white
with sweat, she pushed me through the crowd, rushing
away from those eyes
that saw through
her clothes, under
herskin, all the way down
to the transparent
genes confessing.
Very nice (I liked yr Market piece, too) I just joined this wordy club, and to be honest, yours seems a rarer quality Thanx and Keep on
This poem reminds me, not of my grandmother, but of another lady in my small town when I was a child. Well written, and congratulations for having it selected as poem of the day for January 18 for the third time now!
herskin, all the way down, to the transparent, genes confessing. nice
Magnificent poem, brilliantly presented/written. CONGRATS being chosen by Poem Hunter as The Modern Poem Of The Day. Fantastic choice!
MY FINAL RESPONSE: A poem not from this age/time. We have arrived in an era SANS discrimination, an age WITHOUT discrimination and yet this still happens, we know that from the news
THREE: external pressures they face due to their skin color. The poem captures the emotional and psychological toll of living in a society that judges individuals based on their appearance, emphasizing themes of resilience and the strength required to maintain one's dignity and identity.
TWO: judgmental society, highlighting their feelings of hesitation, fear, and humiliation. The grandmother's actions and the granddaughter's reactions reflect the internal and
ONE: This poem revolves around the struggles of identity, self-esteem, and the impact of racial judgment. The poem describes a light-skinned woman and her granddaughter navigating a racially
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Dear Toi: More than I can tell you, I understand your poetry. I have expended a great deal of emotion and energy in an effort to forgive and to remember without resentment. I have succeeded in my effort and pray you have too! I love your sweet face I love your poem, The Weakness I love your name! From your new friend, Phyllis T. Halle