Contemporary African American Poetry by Ama Maynu

Speed Bump

You are tired

Of a life of

Doormatting.

I am tired

of a world

lived alone

and in fear

of the known

and the un.

Your beauty a beacon

lighting the path

of my resistance.

Your words like silk

catches my peace

and weaves a tale

of possibility

The possibility

of another temptation,

a test I have yet to pass.

Your lips looking

soft and succulent

like over ripe peaches

sold on the side of

the road,

and after such a long drive

I admit I want to taste you,

To speed pass

this “no go.. against the law”

stop sign.

Watch me

fly over the speed bump,

this hump in the road

and though

I passed on

the lips

in my haste

I did get to

accidentally

speed into

the comfort

of your warm

hard six pack stomach.

If I had

someplace else to be

believe me

I’d go there now

and give up this

dead fantasy

of the possibility

of love

of life

because

I think …

I think

I need

you.