South Flight by Jasmine Elizabeth Smith

Author:Jasmine Elizabeth Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: University of Georgia Press
Published: 2022-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

IV

Now I can read his letters;

I sure can’t read his mind.

I thought he’s lovin’ me;

He’s leavin’ all the time.

Now I see my poor love was blind.

“Crazy Blues” ~ Mamie Smith

Black Town Blues: Greensborough, Oklahoma

Postmarked ~ June 19, 1922

When I taught to hold myself tightly bound, black

bird all tressed up, arm length in twine.

Tell me pretty. Jim. How I able, up & just fly?

Each my arms nails, siding strays of storm loosened shutters.

Church sisters claim, my manners good as canned oranges.

Teach me, why I to hold this double bind of blackness tightly.

These days, I got potential to be an impeccable church picnic.

Drowned in baptismal waters, sisters say I born of new spirit.

Tell me how I able? You just up Jim, away fly prettily?

To battering of beds, I wear muslin gloves, seam my mouth prayer.

Lower my eyes to cut of well-known killings.

I teach myself not to hold blackness but bind my mouth tightly.

Starched white hoods tent revivals; congregating round cross

all is burned upon open holy ghost fires.

Tell me. Am I able & just?

When I a bird tressed up in this black bible length of twine—

When God is man, think he both storm & light—

How to lift careless wing when you taught not to hold

yourself

or nothing for that matter? Tell me Jim. It isn’t

even got to be pretty.

How I to sing

my way out

this bible belt?

How out this bible,

I belt

my own way?

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