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.
