Next one comes from, again, a composite of two students
that I had at Sarah Lawrence.
And the title comes from a conference
that came with those at AWP in Philadelphia,
maybe three years ago.
And the panel's theme was, why do so few Blacks study
creative writing?
"Why Do So Few Blacks Study Creative Writing?"
"Always the same, sweet hurt, the understanding
that settles in the eyes.
Sooner or later, at the end of class,
in the silence cooling in the room.
Sooner or later, it comes to this--
[AUDIO CUTS OUT] a glossary, a disclaimer.
It was as if I were what?
Talking for the first time?
Giving yourself up?
Away.
There are worlds and there are worlds to remind you,
she needs to know what's wrong with me.
And you want the crowbar or spade her hurt to the air.
You want photosynthesis, to break it down
to an organic language.
You want to shake, I hear you.
Into her ear, armor her life with permission.
Really, what can I say?
That if she chooses to remain here,
the term neighborhood will always have a foreign stress.
That there will always be the moment
the small hard details of your life
will be made to circle their wagons."