That summer night Was hot Steaming like a crab Luscious under the shell   Televisions gone bleary Blinked In front of men In undershirts drinking beer   Wives upstairs took showers Caught A glimpse of their backs In hallway mirrors   I sat in the dark Invisible On the backporch Drinking in the night   And it tasted good So good Going down And somebody like me   Blew night through an alto sax Blew and blew His cooling breath His hot cool breath on me—   And I came alive Glowing In the dark Listening like a fool     Saundra Rose Maley Artwork;&nb ..read more

Whenever I wander through a gallery, aside from staring in wonder at all of these marvelous creations, I often ask myself who the person behind the artwork is. I daydream about the kind of life they lead; the boring details as much as the big ones. Why did they choose to express themselves in this way, how did they feel as they made it and what would they say now if they were here to clarify this cryptic message presented on the canvas. To me, the artist is as interesting as the art itself.  Some artists are drawn to their guitar, their easel, or notepad- Yang Pulongbarit-Cuevo is inspire ..read more

  1 I tore from a limb fruit that had lost its green. My hands were warmed by the heat of an apple Fire red and humming. I bit sweet power to the core. How can I say what it was like? The taste! The taste undid my eyes And led me far from the gardens planted for a child To wildernesses deeper than any master’s call. 2 Now these cool hands guide what they once caressed; Lips forget what they have kissed. My eyes now pool their light Better the summit to see. 3 I would do it all over again: Be the harbor and set the sail, Loose the breeze and harness the gale, Cherish the harvest of what I ..read more

  “What woman here is so enamored of her own oppression that she cannot see her heelprint upon another woman’s face? What woman’s terms of oppression have become precious and necessary to her as a ticket into the fold of the righteous, away from the cold winds of self-scrutiny?” Audre Lorde   A message that I have been continually seeing throughout all social media channels is that we need to take on the task of educating ourselves. Identifying racism, sexism, homophobia in our society while looking outward is an important way in which to push towards a change in mentality, percept ..read more

The first pride was a riot.    This year Pride celebrations have coincided with the powerful public response that is occurring worldwide in the form of the Black Lives Matter protests, as well as the riots that erupted shortly thereafter. Whatever you may think of the efficacy of these riots, it is important to acknowledge at this time especially, that one of the most important events that lead to the establishment of the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States1 was achieved as a result of the Stonewall Riots. The first pride was indeed, a ri ..read more

      Sometimes we need a little help along the path and it can be so comforting and gratifying to hear how others get along. How they face their own struggles and find the light. This life is full of ups, downs with the odd squiggly line, and you know what? We all need guidance, encouragement, and reassurance that those around us face days where they feel just as lost and just as in need of support.   Even the simplest advice can inspire a backflip into the wonderful   For those of us who can’t afford the weekly trip to the therapist, life coach or local Ashram’s Gu ..read more

    There are so many roots to the tree of anger    that sometimes the branches shatter    before they bear.   Sitting in Nedicks the women rally before they march    discussing the problematic girls    they hire to make them free. An almost white counterman passes    a waiting brother to serve them first    and the ladies neither notice nor reject    the slighter pleasures of their slavery.    But I who am bound by my mirror    as well as my be ..read more

Whenever I wander through a gallery, aside from staring in wonder at all of these marvelous creations, I often ask myself who the person behind the artwork is. I daydream about the kind of life they lead; the boring details as much as the big ones. Why did they choose to express themselves in this way, how did they feel as they made it and what would they say now if they were here to clarify this cryptic message presented on the canvas. To me, the artist is as interesting as the art itself.  Some artists are drawn to their guitar, their easel, or notepad- Yang Pulongbarit-Cuevo is inspire ..read more

  1 I tore from a limb fruit that had lost its green. My hands were warmed by the heat of an apple Fire red and humming. I bit sweet power to the core. How can I say what it was like? The taste! The taste undid my eyes And led me far from the gardens planted for a child To wildernesses deeper than any master’s call. 2 Now these cool hands guide what they once caressed; Lips forget what they have kissed. My eyes now pool their light Better the summit to see. 3 I would do it all over again: Be the harbor and set the sail, Loose the breeze and harness the gale, Cherish the harvest of what I ..read more

  “What woman here is so enamored of her own oppression that she cannot see her heelprint upon another woman’s face? What woman’s terms of oppression have become precious and necessary to her as a ticket into the fold of the righteous, away from the cold winds of self-scrutiny?” Audre Lorde   A message that I have been continually seeing throughout all social media channels is that we need to take on the task of educating ourselves. Identifying racism, sexism, homophobia in our society while looking outward is an important way in which to push towards a change in mentality, percept ..read more