Be careful what you wish for — When looking back on my life, I can truly say in earnest that most, if not all, my dreams have come true. What exactly is “ a dream come true”? According to the Idioms website: fulfilment of a wish after a long time the notion of something that is hoped…

Hello Miss Young, I read your piece with great interest; I'm always intrigued when someone writes an opinion piece such as yours, who truly has no skin in the game. You state we need " we need facts, not moral panic and politicized narratives" correct. Thing is, you don't need…

The ending is always the same — What they said was “He looks suspicious” What they said was “It could be drugs” What they thought was “He could be trouble” What they saw was “BLACK” What they said “He pulled the trigger” What they did “They shot back” What they found will never bring him back No…

A Villanelle — Hear ye! Hear ye! Let it be known On the third day of November, in the year two thousand and twenty The one who thinks he is a king will be overthrown The grifter used the presidency as a stepping stone To steal from the good citizens every damn penny …

A Villanelle with Imagery — Front and center, no longer hidden Longitudinal study of genocide The white man’s burden, “Death to the Black man” for it is written

From a woman who knew neither of them — Between the ages of five and six, my mother divorced my father. She never spoke bad about him, however, the only thing she would tell me is that I would find out what kind of person he was on my own. During that time, there were the scheduled weekend visits…

A Villanelle — She is strong and resilient, nothing gets by her History has taught her much for all that she sees Her pain and anguish for her lost child, she is now death’s connoisseur Life has grown from within, she is love’s whisperer And its just a matter of time she’ll teach…

A Villanelle — The days of old are gone, but the shackles still remain Where can mercy and grace be found White supremacy carries the mark of Cain Treated like animals, so very inhumane Racism and hate are America’s playground The days of old are gone, but the shackles still remain Another life…

A Villanelle — We waved goodbye, as they walked out the door A kiss on the cheek, a tight hug was felt The sound of their voice is nevermore Memories in the sun from their time at the shore It was only a matter of time when we realized the hand they were…