Diana V. Cruz

149th between 3rd and Grand Concourse 

You got killer legs, baby
remember
Jesus Christ loves you 

I told you
you can’t wash braids like that 
now you gotta take ‘em out 

She talk loud when she’s upset, that’s how she is
Ice cold
water 

Whas good, Queen?
They’re not learning reading, they’re not learning penmanship
which is exactly what the government wants:
us to be chattel 

“Explora tus opciones de inversion con confianza”
Nah son, no puedo
Esta machina no esta trabajando
Oyeme, yo fui a la escuela 

Como esta la hermana tuya?
Yo, they got me tight 

Peanuts dos por cinco 

New heels, brand new, nice, $10….ok, 5!

Si, esta nublado todo el dia

Intimations of an Afro or What Poetry Did This Evening 

for Askia Toure

Sweat formed poetry
a distinguished salt
and pepper afro
tame
but of sufficient kink
a few unruly strays
hint
at what it used to be.

Subtle jagged trickles
and a liquid wrinkled brow
broaden its range
and poetry is done
like a verb
when the amens come.