On Natural Hair: Teach Me How to Love
I have recently become jealous of young girls. My envy is not rooted in the fact that they have their whole lives ahead of them or that the clothing in their section of department stores is often cuter than that…
The One He Loves
I recently spent some time in the book of John and found myself chuckling at references to “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” (13:23, 19:26, 20:2). The disciple is unnamed and there are few descriptors to make his identity certain. The…
Masquerades and Barricades: On Love Delayed
I’m supposed to be in love by now. Yet I am not. And I chalk it all up to masquerades and barricades. Masquerades A couple of months ago I walked up on my grandfather as he was catching up with…
Spoken Word: Must Love Dogs
I performed my most recent poem “Must Love Dogs” at award-winning poet Jasmine Mans’ DC show on February 7, 2016. On YouTube: https://youtu.be/wpOfliBEjgM
Full Speed Ahead in 2016
Sometimes I wonder how it would feel to fly. I have come close. With the right music blaring through my speakers and nothing but open road before me, I occasionally look down at my car’s dashboard and realize that I’m…
For ‘Cute’ Girls Who Have Coveted Sexiness
All your life you have been ‘cute.’ From pigtails and toothless grin at age six to heels and full face of make-up on the other side of 30, you have been ‘cute.’ It could be attributed to your baby face…
A Letter to My 80-Year-Old Self
At a time when everyone seems to be writing letters of reflection to their younger selves, I am instead focused on you. Young Sheryl may be near and dear to my heart, but she had her chance. This is yours. Before, you were…