I have seen you many times beforein an unhurried rush.On a rainsoaked shore.Beautiful, warming, miraculous. You stop time.Taking your time as you disappear slowlyinto an atmosphere we can not touch...smell or hear...I take it all inanticipating the hours before it happens again.Hello sunrise...fc hickombottom
TIRED SMILES
Black people often cover our pain with laughter and music to cope with our reality when it strikes close. Living life, just should not be so hard. A popular comedian said it best years ago when I was a teenager. “Man, did you know you can be harassed or arrested for just being Black on …
Wanda
Wanda Wanda was my shero Long, tall, and beautiful Wanda Smart, funny, with her grandmother's hair- Sunshine in her smile Personality like honey- Educated, business mind, Earned her own money. Myron towered over the average man Movie-star charm Velvet steel arms A Sam Cooke grin that could change any keep out signs to " please come …
AGAIN
Jace! Girl pick up! Pam? This better be life threatening- It is 3 a.m. It’s Raheem. Again? He made his choice. He has decided to leave me, again For the white girl. Joyce Are you there? Half here, Are you listening? Half listening. Talking’ bout he’s gone as far as he can… (Again.) What happened …
Mr. & Mrs.
Jackie and Larry use to sit outside,whenever it got to hot. But never together like Mr.& Mrs. always in a different spot. Larry sat in their screened in porch watching the people out and about. They watched him. He watched them- But “hello” never came from his mouth. Jackie sat in their driveway. In her …
DREAM VOTE
It took going to Mississippi in my 50s to understand life for her growing up in Mississippi in the 50s. Alberta Williams grew up in Darling, Mississippi. By the time she was 9 years-old she completely understood the social order of the south. A forward thinker, she was convinced this life of unequal conditions for …
NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR
Alberta and Alberto were neighbors. She liked to sit outside on her porch before sunset to look at her beautiful flowers and to people watch. They each had indoor spouses who preferred time and space alone inside their homes. Alberta had Jim; Alberto had Mrs.Alberto. She liked the fact they shared the same month of August …
HEART OF THE HOME COOKED MEAL
During the late 80s, a popular commercial promoted the idea of a woman being able to bring home the bacon,fry it up in a pan, never ever let you forget your a man. Basically saying could have all, be all, and do it all. The fast lane life, with high powered career, family, home, children, …
Last Name Hickombottom 