Today’s 30 for 30 (Twitter hashtag #30for30) poem comes from Derrick Weston Brown, poet and author of Wisdom Teeth. The poem was inspired by the pictured artwork by Michael Singletary, whose artwork is on display at Busboys and Poets 14th & V through the end of May. Derrick also works at the Teaching for Change’s Busboys and Poets Bookstore, so be sure to say hi while you stroll around the restaurant looking at Singletary’s work!

Poem For The Painting above the Men’s Bathroom @ Busboys and Poets 14th & V St NW or “How Lina Reads The Word”
by Derrick Weston Brown

You notice Lina’s legs first.

They’re long   slim and

sculpted. Her feet yawn out

to the end of the of the bed spread.

The paint on her toenails

chipped bubblegum pink.

She’s reading the Bible.

Topless. The good book

is small, worn and rusted

hydrant red in her hands.

The gold script on the

cover is a whisper.

It is Sunday.

There’s

a sigh descending in this room.

Her bra is

a sling of lace and straps

and clips resting to her right-

studying war no more.

Lina’s bare knees form

the steeple of her

body church. She leans into the

cool of her brass headboard.

Her breasts rest behind pages

Psalms

kneecaps

the truest brown

lies on the underside

of her thighs amid the

plump push of

her backside into the matress

finally a flash of blue

the embroidered triangle

of panties. Holiest of holies.

A pink room and Lina

with her blackberry dollop

of a mouth. Alone

with the Word.