You’ll find this poem on page 133 of Bum Rush the Page (The Def Poetry Jam book), published under my pen name in October 2001. Don’t forget to look up my bio in the back. :)
and
i was Born.
i imagine mama smiled and cried
at the woes and joys of bearing female fruit
her tears fell into my mind like rain
watered the seeds she planted there
pain
pride
beauty
wisdom.
i know she loved me strong
cuz
i evolved into the next version of her.
her smile warms the fibers of my being
where cotton grows in my guilty memory
stained with strains of indigo.
the sunshine reflected in her eyes
shines on my soul,
making more alive
and as i grow older
i am Born
again and again.