Life and Death
my tongue murdered a reputation today.
slithered from behind my white teeth
trampled her life like a withered leaf
on the floor of my mouth.
my tongue feels like a wild lasso of a noose
waiting to hang the worst of who we are.
it tightens about my neck as i reflect
on what i said - unable to take back.
my tongue can taste the blood
of best intentions searing my throat.
forgiveness is not deeds undone,
words unsaid, but reputations restored.
my tongue jabs at the abscess of sorrow
oozing from my gums, a poisoned root.
uprooted i need You to sow Your words
in my mind, nestled in Your peace. i
need You to teach me how to heal
with words, a gift of wisdom.
i need You to rule my heart
so each word i speak is Life.
Proverbs 18:21
On Fire
she dances on fire
and no it’s not
the fire
of firewalkers
mind over matter
flesh unsinged.
her soul is on fire.
she says
it’s Holy Ghost fire
and her feet are moving
through prayers of laughter,
arms raised
fanning flames,
soles unsinged
souls unhinged,
on fire.
she’s a dancin’
like David
she’s got that
Jeremiah fire
burning in her bones.
electrical storms of lightning
fill the air.
i believe
i’m zapped.
i believe
i feel an ember
in my marrow,
movin’ through
my bones,
Jeremiah,
i believe
yes
i believe
i’m on fire.
“His word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9).
…”And David danced before the Lord with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14).
Romaine Washington M.Ed. is a certificated high school teacher in California. She is the author of a collection of poems “Sirens in Her Belly,” which was placed on BET’s top 12 must-read list of books for 2016 by editor, Britt Middleton. She is in the process of completing common core lesson plans to accompany the book, which has been adopted by school districts in Southern California.
She has been published in a variety of periodicals and journals as well as reading in a variety of venues and being an active member in the local poetry community.
Website Address: www.romainewashington.com