Pen & Ink

Pen & Ink

Brenda’s Child -- Born Latoya Bosworth, she has been writing poetry since she was 14. At the age of 21, Latoya dubbed herself Brenda’s Child, after her late mother Brenda Kay Swinton. Brenda’s Child has been performing spoken word in the Massachusetts and Connecticut areas since 2001. In the fall of 2002, she released her debut CD, “Through My Eyes.” The CD received rave reviews throughout the spoken word community and sold out at local venues. Currently, Brenda’s Child is working on a poetry book entitled, “ A Piece of My Mind, poetic confessions from a self-proclaimed Diva.” To hear Brenda’s Child’s poetry live, please visit the listening room at poetryjoint.com

Juanita Torrence-Thompson is Editor/Publisher of MOBIUS, THE POETRY MAGAZINE. See reviews on www.poetrytown.com for her poetry CD “Poetry Among the Flowers: Queens Meets Asia” and her books Celebrating a Tapestry of Life, Spanning the Years and Wings Span to Eternity. She has taught creative writing, been an Adjunct Professor and read in the U.S., Singapore, Switzerland and South Africa. Her award-winning work has been published widely in the U.S. and in Europe and Canada. View YOUTUBE videos of Juanita Torrence-Thompson at Mobius's 25th Anniversary at: www.youtube.com/poetrytown

BLACK LOVE

By Brenda’s Child

I was the one who birth your daughter into this world,

But you planted the seed.

In other words it took both of us

To bring forth life, you and me.

I held your limp body when they untied you from a tree,

But you died; you died protecting and defending me.

I nurtured our son with milk from my breast

But your guidance is what made him a man.

Your belly grew full from my home cooked meals

That would have been impossible

Without your hard working, farming hands.

It took both of us,

Woman and man.

I nursed the open wounds on your back,

After you were whipped.

But you accepted my half white child,

tucking him in at night,

Kissing his cheek,

Knowing he belonged to your owner,

Who also raped me.

I cleaned other people’s houses,

Ate scraps and scrubbed floors

But you fought with bravery,

At home and at war.

We were a team,

You and me.

When you were Pharaoh,

I was queen,

Letting you take the lead

But you made sure to never walk in front,

Only and always beside me.

Sticking together

is what got us through Centuries

When they purposely

tried to destroy the sanctity

And integrity of our family.

Over and over,

They tried to break our tie,

Corrupt our hearts,

Break our bond

but Black love…

is unmovable,

Unbending, never ending,

Relentless, fearless

and forgiving,

Forceful and unstoppable.

Yes, it’s been a struggle.

It’s still a struggle,

but Black love is …

Undying, understanding,

Unrivaled and Indestructible,

Black love is… beautiful.

MY IDEAL CANDIDATE

By Juanita Torrence-Thompson

would advocate equal pay for equal work
regardless of race, gender or age.
Propose beneficial programs for all
not just for the privileged few.

My ideal candidate
would have character
would have a plan
for the economy
to aid the poor
for education
health benefits
energy
global warming
social security.

It would be someone
who’d help farmers help themselves
since they feed everyone.
Someone who’d be an advocate
for women’s, minority, civil
and human rights for all.

My ideal candidate
would be very intelligent
and possess innovative ideas
would have a strong domestic and foreign policy
Have an understanding of the plight of John or June Doe.

He or she would not kowtow to any faction
nor be beholden to any interest group
with ulterior motives,
would have an impeccable moral record,
yet be human and sensitive
tough when necessary
but think and discuss before leaping
be an advocate of diplomacy
be a great communicator
who can paint his or her far-reaching visions,
and idealistic yet realistic views with a broad stroke.

I believe I have found my candidate
(Written 2001, revised 2008)

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