Selah

A poem by Alexis Nicole

Bless the baby
Lord, bless the baby

Bless her,  
the baby that’s been here before
old soul, folk say
wisdom attained
with black skin and nappy hair

Bless the baby, 
frail framed and loud mouth
kissed by prayer and tobacco 
raised by gold jewelry and grits 

Bless her,
the ugly girl God
who always speaks
words caught on tongue
so much so
speech slurred and blurred
between mushed syllables and laughter

Bless the baby oh God, 
the one with the cork stuck 
in aging bottles of guts and tar 
with headaches and sulk
and grief and atonement

Bless her, 
give her a broom of straw
to take to her porch
and sweep dust and devils
into thorn bushes

Bless,
give her direction
to never miss exits
see right from left
wrong and just
to take heed to love

Oh God bless her,
lay her in rest and white cloth
speak to her wrapped head
and tired body
give her peace of mind
give her freedom

Amen 

Photo by Gordon Parks