the healers

(for zaki, aunt everlean, ivah, marcus and countless others)

i pray that we remember
the lessons we were taught by healers
when the time comes
for them to be healed

for I know black womyn
so fierce in their loving
that it burdens the body
the excesses of their love
bleed beyond their poetry
beyond the kitchen scents they conjure up
beyond the hugging they do with eyes
like when they start to miss you
before you leave

so i am saying a prayer
for these womyn who weep sometimes in silence
that some of the courage they'll need
to get past these uncertain diagnoses
these little lumps
that threaten to spread
that lurk like doubt does in our heads
until carved out
when we sometimes
have to carve out space
between the rock and hard space
i pray our prayers will be enough
to heal healers.

yes, I hope for the leap of faith
that those who love the healers must take
to get beyond these hurdles
be strong for womyn who've shown
nothing but strength
then we can grant them permission to be
scared, weak, afriad
because we are stong enough
not to be
for their sake
because we believe in miracles
blessed as holy water
sacred as olive oil
on pentecostal foreheads
because we were taught well by womyn
who dare to envision our safety
so fiercely
they make it so

yes, i pray that we remember
the lessons we were taught by healers
when the time comes
for them to be healed