Celebrate life!

So I have been out of the blog world for a minute. I lost my favorite auntie, Norma Jean on January 31st. This date is also the anniversary of the 6th year of being without the love of my life, my daddy. I also moved into a new house and still have boxes to unpack. Thru it all I give thanks for all the blessings and grace the Creator has shown me and my family. I will be back with more musings and writings on creative empowerment. Life is short. Live strong!

Here is poem I wrote for my auntie and read at her services in Chicago.


For our Norma Jean

this isn’t a poem

its words put together when words can never say enough

its a whirlwind

a big smile

a tight hug from a favorite aunt

that looks just like my mama

its love

this isn’t a poem

its a family story

it begins in a busy house that used to stand not too far from here

with a wild backyard

a warm kitchen upstairs

tall, steep concrete steps

that provided us many scraped knees

all our hearts can remember is

her laughing and smiling

if we counted all the times we heard her laughing

beautiful gap teeth smiling

head leaned back

soul a glow

we are rich

this isn’t a poem

since words can never be enough

to celebrate

to speak on the essence of her spirit

while the body is fragile

it bends

it fails

it gives out

spirit is stronger

no force is greater than pure love

her journey to short for us

lovely many times

bumpy some times

cuz life can serve up bumps and valleys and peaks along the way

her chapters unfolded like a large novel

i wanna keep turning the pages

we wish for more volumes

more hugs

more of her laughs

more comedy

more of her sweet nature

just more

more

more norma jean love

the essence of her spirit

will live on

your brothers, sisters, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins, friends

deep down wish our collective love for you would pull you back here

our tears would drown out all pain

but

with deep breathes

we release you to the creator

rest now

rest in perfect light dear one

the essence of your spirit will live on

Tricia Hersey

from left to right: My Auntie Norma Jean and My mama Jean Marie

Poetry Break

Things to do when grief is concerned

1.       Collect and stare at photographs of him until you can retrace every curve and bend of his face with eyes closed. Even if you have mastered this skill repeat daily.

2.       Don’t buy a headstone for the grave. Procrastinate and ignore for as long as possible.  Engraved stone is much too hard and cold. Remember the softness and warmth.

3.       Erase his cell phone number out of your contacts but not before you copy it down onto paper. Dream about tattooing it onto your chest in beautiful fancy script.

4.       Dust off old VHS tapes of his trips to Alaska just to see 1 minute of footage of him walking upright.

5.       Get pregnant with a man child ASAP before death creeps and overtakes the entire plan. Pray the baby looks and acts like him. Give the child his middle name.

6.       Wear his size 4X sweaters around the house. Never wash it. Swim in the ocean of fabric. Imagine he is at the shore waiting for you.

7.       Make an appointment to have your head checked. Explain to the doctor that it feels like your right arm is missing. Apply for disability.

8.       Roll your eyes in disbelief when you hear someone say God answers all prayers. You have proof to dispute this. You prayed over him for 7 days straight no sleep and lack of food couldn’t stop you. You are skeptical.

9.       Feel bad and guilty about #8. Your daddy was a sanctified, Holy Ghost preaching pastor and a praying man.

10.   Prepare to live the rest of your days wrestling grief. The end is just the beginning.

-Lady Terror (2011)

Revolution means change
It's coming

Bear Down

Sharpen yo knives

Kiss yo babies

Grit yo teeth

Oil yo face with Vaseline

Braid yo hair

Gather stones and wood

Hide clean water

Stare at old photographs

Stretch yo limbs

Wear long sleeves

Remove jewerly

Say yo last prayers

Detox yo body

Stop lying

Research the facts

Smile at yo enemies

Reevaluate yo friends

Think quick on feet

Readjust yo thinking

It's coming

Yo!

Its already here

-Lady Terror