The Umbrella
How can you
cover me when your roots are ripped apart?
Dangling all
over, with broken pieces,
that cannot be
mended.
I sought your
protection, as you shine with
beautiful
colors.
But you faced
damnation as your scars
told stories of
a troubled society.
I saw the holes
from vines
that punctured
your skin.
It tried to dim
your light.
But you still
tried to shade me.
Broken and
bruised, your arms twisted.
Your foundation
stood still,
as you cry to be
human again.
You bent your
back for me,
even when the
storms came.
You couldn’t
protect me.
I was dripping
wet from your tears.
But you still
tried to shade me.
As the forces
closed in,
they ripped us
apart.
You couldn’t
hold on long enough,
now you’re dead.
When you tried
to shade me.
The Gaza Cry
The land
crumbles in fear as the blood flows.
Screams of
unsound voices with parched tongues.
While mothers
suckle, as they run for freedom.
Hungry souls beg
to chase this demon away.
But evil brings
its fear.
The sun no
longer shines in welcoming homes.
The cries rages
on it doesn’t stop.
Humanity, sad
and broken,
as it bends its
head.
The smell of
flesh a human sacrifice.
Wolves and
thieves’ thread to conquer.
If only I can
lay my head and get some rest.
If only I can
eat.
If only I can
play.
If only I can
sleep.
But I can’t.
My home is
buried, it lives under the rubles.
As It breathes
the air of discomfort.
As it breathes
the air of rotten flesh.
As it breathes
and echoes tender souls
that doesn’t
understand.
The captives, only a pray that feeds them.
A pray from the
mind, as their silent mouths
thirst to be
save.
Hidden Perfection
Just like roots
that travailed in dirt.
It started from
somewhere.
From the seed
that was planted.
From rough
terrain of hard-core struggles.
It persevered
with determination and
strength, to
never give up.
It took time to
dig deep into the soil
and run its
course, blind and uncertain.
But the fruit of
its labor is produced
at the top.
That’s us.
As we struggle
as we bend, and toil
in the quiet
rooms, burning the
midnight oil.
Sleepless nights not to be seen.
We are the seed
that was planted in tough
surroundings,
tough situations to shine.
We came from
that same soil that
nurtured us to
fight and grow.
Just like the
waters that flows as tears
to wet our soil,
to push.
We kept our
mouth shut, as we did the work.
Our roots
blinded, no direction.
The gravity held
us down,
in the soil just
for a while.
We are not ready
yet.
Like roots we
didn’t give up.
We didn’t lose
focus.
We spread our
branches and looked up.
LISELLE POWDER
LISELLE POWDER was born in the
small Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago. Born to Edwina Warner (deceased)
and Bindley Powder. She is the last of six siblings. She is divorced and a
mother of two daughters and a granddaughter. Having migrated to the US in 2014,
she decided to write poetry about her experiences coming to America. She met
with Edna White an Author, and the rest was history. Liselle has written in
Edna’s book “No Sweet Meat Tell Me the Truth” and contribute to the school
newspaper where she works. Liselle held her first poetry show on July 10th,
2021, she also writes in Ms. Edna’s Magazine called “SPEAK MAGAZINE.” and wrote
her first short story titled “Teenage Mom” and her poetry book titled “Still
Overcoming”. Her short story “Teenage Mom” together with other short stories,
is a combination by different authors coming together for the Anthology “Women
Write Now” which was launched in November in 2022. With her continuous writing,
she was entered in an Anthology for the months of June, July and November of
2020, also June and July of 2021, and for July 2022. Liselle was awarded the
Cheryl R Canton Incentive and the Willie Henry Riddick Memorial Award in June
2021, for winning an essay competition placing first. Liselle wrote another
book entitled “Welcome to America,” which is on Amazon. Liselle is also an
artist and has also sold some of her work. Liselle was honored and one of her
poems was chosen for Black Poetry Day, in October 2022., and the reviews was
excellent. Liselle will be honored in August and September at a gala ceremony
for her contribution to writing. One of Liselle painting was accepted for an
open call from the East Islip Council Gallery, the exhibit was in March and
ended on the 14th of April. Another painting form Liselle was also accepted in
an open Call to be posted on social media for the month of April, it was posted
on Lisa D’Amico Arts platform and social media. Liselle also recited two of her
poems at the Juneteenth celebrations 2023, in Harrisburg Pennsylvania, as she
was a guest of honor sponsored by the Writers Workshop curated by Nathaniel
Gadsden. Liselle hopes one day to have her first Art Show soon. Liselle has
come a long way and she strives to be the best of top poets and artist the
world is yet to see.
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