It started with vodka and your aroma of fresh bread,

frozen stones of dirty streets melted in open pools.

I wanted, yes yearned, to pitch tents with you

in the blaze of midnight sun and the scent of rain.

I wanted you as my igniting spark with ember words.

I felt drawn and impassioned to give myself to you -

a drunken state with liquor bottles reflected on night stands,

breathing and moving together in well rehearsed symphony

as I waited for you to be close enough to stroke my hair,

a touch to reaffirm my existence and worth as a human being.

I felt sheltered in my naked skin as I let you come in

alone, together, promising only to be one night friends.

I begged you to be my shadow soul mate singing tipsy love songs.

The next morning, minus you, I remembered the drunken sex,

sweaty lust and wet passion engraved on shards of my mind -

the pieces left behind while I returned to my own bed alone,

awakening to begin my search, once again, for a heartbeat.

I know why you fear me

You think I seek revenge-

For countless bodies

Hung from trees

For mothers' toil

On calloused knees

I was bred of fire

Fed by slaver's

Greed & hate

And it has had me thinking

'Bout the future, much of late

That I've no time to waste

On manufactured strife

I just want to nurture

My loving child & wife

Despite what FoxNews

Pundits say

I've peeped their game-

Refuse to play

There's no need to fear me

Together, one and all

Let's bring an end

To fear most foul

And tear down hatred's wall

-DeRicki