A Paradox in Pink-The words and works of yours truly

National Poetry Month tribute continues...

Most likely, many of you know me from my articles on the how-tos of writing, my words of wisdom on affairs of the heart, or my never-boring blog posts. All of which I love immensely.

But truth be told, my first literary love is poetry. I've been penning verse since I was a teenager. It helped me to deal with awkward issues of growing up and finding my place in the world.

Later it evolved into the deep stuff that Elizabeth Barrett Browning embraced in her work. To date, I've written and published several collections.

Today, I'd like to share a few that I hope will entertain, inspire, or uplift you.
Thanks for spending your time with me and my thoughts.
Without further ado...


SOUL FOOD SUNDAYS

Baked ham
Candy yams
And collard greens
Big momma's biscuits
And buttered beans

Dishes fit for a king
Gospel music
And church chatter in between

As we bond
And share a history
Richer than all the calories

Laughing
Loving
And just being
Honoring
The Sabbath


GRATEFUL

For the gift of words
And the serenity in silence,

For continued health,
Periodic wealth
And love of self,

For soul food,
Karaoke clubs,
Tall men
And spandex

For close friends
Far and near
Family, dear
And loves of yesteryear

For cozy quarters
Cocoa on cold winter days
And bargain sales

For laughter
And lessons learned,
For joy in my life,
Peace in my soul---

Grateful


THE CANVAS

A recycled napkin
A matchbook cover
The backside of a receipt
And then another

Beautifully blank,
All become the backdrop
For a writer's creations

Raw words
Rapidly affixed
To capture
Key phrases
Ingenious ideas
Inner emotions
For tomorrow's
Work of art


GOSSIP

The elixir of fools
The devil's tool
So senseless and cruel
GOSSSSIPPP....


EMOTIONAL MAY DAY

Needing
Now
Wanting
Waiting
Weary
Restless
Wanting
Rescue
Will you?

Repeat.


LOVER MAN

For the hard to reach things
Around the house,
I be needing you

For your easy laughter
And the way you cause comfort
To my sleep,
I be needing you

For borrowed strength
And joy lent,

This woman needs you

(C) 2006 Jennifer Brown Banks

NOTE: My poetry has appeared in Poetic Voices, Being Single Magazine, Chicken Bones, Rolling Out, and a host of online and print publications.