On my fiftieth birthday, in 2001, I was thinking about my family tree, my roots, and the history of my life, not just ethnic, but cultural too—strong, grounded, growing from kindness, love, dignity, and strength of character. I realized how…

This poem came to me one day, back in 2004, when I was feeling pretty down low. It had to do with the man I loved. That day my heart hurt because of the way he talked down to me…

Once again, I tried to help a friend of mine who had been in my life for twenty years. Back in 2003, we were the best of friends, always there for each other with a comforting hug that gave both…

This poem was written in 2002. In the quiet, still light, I watch the sun melt to dusk. This is one of my favorite moments of the day. It’s serene. There’s little or no noise. I am all alone, and…

Many times, within myself, I grappled about my feelings around what happened to me; not just being paralyzed by a faulty vaccine, but learning unconditional love and acceptance of myself. Characterized by my presence and passions for the qualities of…

One night, back in 1992, a nightmare rocketed me out of a deep sleep. I awoke sweating and trembling in terror, shaken to my core. Wrapped in only a thin, black nightgown, I had stood, burning in agony within a…

This poem was written in 1984, when I was told I could not continue my education. That is, I could not attend college. I was destroyed. Heartbroken. I felt like I had nothing left of my life—nothing else to give…

One day back in 2010, I wrote this poem about all the times I have wanted to lay my head back in a warm tub of lavender bubble bath and melt away all my worries and woes. I wanted to…