A tree grows in Brooklyn and so did my dreams on the cracked asphalt of tenement building stoops a flower trying to break through but roses don’t bloom here that’s what I was told Never believing that I could ever see a world beyond my periphery struggling with tunnel vision I watch passersby and they watch me, holding my baby close, never expecting me … Continue reading Asphalt Dreams (on Palmetto Street)
Brooklyn, NY- June 1, 2013- Today writers from Brooklyn came together and shared their memories of what it was like growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970’s and 80’s. The first installment of Defying Devastation resulted when Brooklyn born writer Vanessa Martír discovered an image of herself taken 30 years ago by photographer Meryl Meisler. The photo was one of many taken by Meryl as she walked to and from … Continue reading Defying Devastation: Bushwick Then & Now (Brooklyn Writers Remember)
She is a living record of what can’t be found in history books. Not even the most skilled artist can capture the layers of life that she wears on her face like armor. Each crease, sculpted by the love for her children. No nip and tuck to help erase the bitter winters that pierced through her skin like daggers. Or the nights she laid her … Continue reading History…
he wore love on his arm tatted on his skin, a reminder to love himself because no one will do the job better but instead, he loved her dutifully in the morning in the evening and until the sun rose again her warmth had become his security seeking her out whenever he was afraid she was the sun at dusk that kissed the sky goodnight … Continue reading Tattoo
Surreal. That’s what it felt like last night as I featured for the first time at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The iconic venue which was originally founded in 1973 in the living room of Miguel Algarin, found it’s permanent home at 236 East 3rd street in 1980. There, is where I was given the opportunity to put my words on display. To stand on … Continue reading Word Warrior
“You are carrying a masterpiece hidden within you, but you are standing in the way. Just move aside, then the masterpiece will be revealed. Everyone is a masterpiece, because God never gives birth to anything less than that. Everyone carries that masterpiece hidden for many lives, not knowing who they are and just trying on the surface to become someone. Drop the idea of becoming … Continue reading You Are A Masterpiece
Dear Fear, There are days that I don’t think about you at all. You hide yourself well often appearing when I least expect it. I see you in my baby girl’s smiling eyes I hear you in her coos I feel you in her embrace I smell you in her scent, as I hold her tightly while she tugs gently on my face Knowing that … Continue reading Writing Prompt: Dear Fear..
I carry history in my hair Generations of thick tangled tresses Colored with shame at the roots stripped, dyed, burned, fried trying unsuccessfully to alter its DNA. Since birth, my hair has danced violently to a beat of its own Tautly twined coils stretched like the goatskin that cover djembe drums each lock relentlessly rebelling, defiant like sugar cane trying to make its way through concrete … Continue reading Roots
What I always wanted, was to feel her touch like inspiration. Slightly parted lips that greet me hello every morning the way the sun kisses the sky at dawn. She is heaven and I want to live in her forever. Build legacies from the ground up because she comes from a strong foundation. Teach her how beautiful she is, not because of how she looks, … Continue reading NYCLWG Prompt: What I always wanted…
liberation won’t come through prayer, even though I’ve tried to free myself from the temptation of his kiss, his touch, the way he whispers my name when we make love lost deep in the ocean of my scent, his hands, paint petroglyphs on my skin I carry traces of his love like DNA addiction of any kind can be deadly and I’ll admit I … Continue reading Liberation
nancy arroyo ruffin 