“dark phrases of womanhood, 
of never havin been a girl,
half-notes scattered
without rhythm/ no tune
distraught laughter fallin
over over a black girl’s shoulder
it’s funny/ it’s hysterical 

… are we ghouls?
children of horror?
the joke?

don’t tell nobody don’t tell a soul
are we animals? 

have we gone crazy?”
ntozake shange 
for colored girls when the rainbow is enuf.

this book is stardust. 
nebulous, it cradles my ache. 
heals scabs, 
fingertips breathe paper,
when feelin’ like givin’ up.  
thank you, ntozake. wherever you are.