when i was four we lived in Beaufort, S.C.
just outside the Parris Island Naval Base
mom pauline made me wear dresses I hated
drab grey and white checkered things
always hanging off me like flour sacks
my dad emory let me pick out corduroy jeans
soft comfy unconfined
pauline made me wear a little red hat
i was always swatting
the tassels that streamed down my face
and looked like the entrails of a chicken
i loved going to pre-school
could already read
was learning to write
from the brightly-colored plastic alphabet stencils
lorraine, the lady who rented the “little house” behind ours
had bought especially for me
i loved going to see her
until one day her husband don
appeared in the living room
in his boxers
his dick hanging out
i told emory -
he exploded
my alphabet stencils
disappeared
so did don and lorraine
Chocolate Waters is a continuously evolving radical feminist poet and celebrant of the new power of the feminine. She began performing her work in the mid 70's and has toured throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada. Her first three books of poetry are considered classics of the Second Wave, and her latest book, the woman who wouldn’t shake hands, was published by Poets Wear Prada (Hoboken, NJ). She currently conducts the Poetry Circle for senior writers at Hamilton House in Manhattan. Her latest book, Bittersweet Resurrection, (Eggplant Press, NYC) will be released in 2020. You can see what she’s up to at ChocolateWaters.com. Friend her on Facebook (she always welcomes more friends).