when asked about being a Black poet
a raisin in a bowl of milk. a peppercorn
seasoning the saltshaker. clove smudging
a sugar pile. ebony invading a clapping
copse of birch. a panther stalking –
silent – among the ram and ewes. obsidian
striking quartz in the jeweler’s drawer.
soot blanketing a field of snow.
oh, but speak of what’s burning!
Matthew E. Henry (MEH) is the author of six poetry collections, the editor-in-chief of The Weight Journal, the creative nonfiction editor at Porcupine Literary, and an associate editor at Rise Up Review. MEH is a high school teacher who received his MFA, yet continued to spend money he didn’t have completing an MA in theology and a PhD in education. He writes about education, race, religion, and burning oppressive systems to the ground at www.MEHPoeting.com.
See more of his work in 13.3