What is it to be a Black woman?

I wrote this poem, and originally was torn as to switch certain words with the words following it in the (). But after comments from several women that I know, I will present the poem as is. I hope you enjoy it.


What is it to be a Black woman?

Am I just the embodiment of sweets come to life
the toffee, chocolate, and caramel in walking form?
Are my ample curves just objects of ridicule, envy, and fantasy?

Oh I am all of that and more

I can be strong without muscle
enough to bring a man to his knees with a look or word
enough to raise a child to an adult
enough to defy corporate edicts of anorexia

I can be soft
so gentle as to cry to a love song
so humble as to follow my mates lead
so warm as to heat the coldest of hearts

But I am a tigress, fighting to claim a land that is not mine
I am a soldier fighting injustice and -isms in all forms
I seduce as no other mother could, and care like no mistress ever will (can comprehend)

A Black woman cannot be bound -
not by chains or laws or seats on a bus
not by pay scales and job titles and masculinity

I am a whirlwind of passion and love
shielding those I cherish
crushing those that oppose me

Yet I am weary of the 24/7 fight
scenery in a movie, commodity in history, isolated in pop culture, rebuffed by sisters of the moon

Still I move forward undeterred in my quest
my man has broken chains and defied masses
my child has beaten the odds and circumstances
my mind balances economy, diplomacy, and strategy in a glance (flash)

My inventions win no patents
yet fill bellies and provide shelter and imbue strength

All of this... yet I am more
I am the lioness to my lion, the council to my leader, the accountant to my bank
and when I chose so I am all of it by myself

What is it to be a Black woman?
It is to be a sun that some bathe in and others flee
It is to be the roar of a mouse and the raindrops of thunder (lightning)

I am Pharaoh and Temptress and Mother and Vixen
I am what others must purchase to compare

Yet most of all... I am Eve and Lillith and Life


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Review - Brookwater's Curse - 3.24.2008.1

In between creating 25 blogs for a client in the past few days I had a bit of time to wind down. In that time I became aware of a new author and his first published book. Actually a friend of mine became aware of this, and due to the fantasy nature of the book, I was told about it. It’s about Vampires. But it has a perspective that really has not been addressed before. The lead character is an African American.

The book, Brookwater’s Curse, is a trip through American history via the diary of the titular character, written by Steven Van Patten. We get to experience America through the eyes of one of our Ancestors and his growth in that time. It’s a unique view. And overall is done well.

This is a self-published book. I need to mention this because there are a few edges to the book that are rough. The graphic image on the cover of the book looks a bit cartoonish and might lead some to overlook the book thinking it is something for kids or teens. That would be a mistake. Throughout the book there are points where a historical event, or a new character/species, is mentioned and the fonts change as if there was a hyperlink. And there is the occasional typographical error. All of these things are minor and infrequent issues. None are enough to take you out of the story or breaking the spell that is being woven.

What the reader will get is that Mr. Christian Brookwater was a man born in a horrible time in America that tried his best to endure. His problems were not only the Slavery that existed but his own birthright. And then things go downhill in his life. Until he is “rescued” which leads to even more pain. Brookwater is a man that gains many achievements, and at each crest he tumbles. I really felt bad for him. And then you are lead to his real challenge, which is the issue the book starts with.

I found this book interesting because, like other novels in this genre, there are other monstrous peoples. There are werewolves, rachasas, and ghosts. Each is dealt with and explained in time and with an explanation that flows with the story and makes sense in the world presented.

Let me pause, I hate when a book or movie gives you a world with certain rules – and then breaks them. A quick example is Alien vs. Predator. It sucked, mostly because they broke the rules. The molecular blood that can go through floors of metal did nothing to a woman’s face. People exposed to the Antarctic weather in a t-shirt aren’t cold. And the rule breaking goes on and on. It ruins the story. The best movies and books create a world that has rules and sticks to them, no matter how illogical or fantastic they may be. Like the Lord of the Rings or Blade Runner.

But as I was saying, not only do we get to learn of these other peoples we get to understand other cultures as well. The ancient samurai are as vital to this story as is Harlem, and Africa.

In every step we get to learn of Brookwater as he deals with events in the nation from a unique perspective and an appreciation that is seldom conveyed in other books even in this genre. And as you read through the story you come to understand that it has not been discussed before. That a void has existed, and was completely ignored like the existence of people of color on Friends.

But don’t think that the inclusion, actually emphasis on, people of color is the only asset of this story. It is a well thought out, and researched story. No matter the race of the characters the story would be involving, but the inclusion of race adds an aspect that makes it both unique and accented.

But the book does have problems.

The first 2 chapters are probably the worst of the whole book. It’s rushed and feels forced. The detail and pacing seem rushed. In a few points in the book you want to learn more about an era or event. At others you question other factors. One thought for me came about money. Mr. Brookwater always seems in need of cash, either due to his generosity or his manner in resolving certain situations, and I wonder why he never opened a bank account, as say characters in the Highlander series did. And in certain events the flow of action seems somewhat fuzzy. As I mentioned earlier there are also the typos and font changes.

Perhaps the main issue I have is the end of the story. It doesn’t actually end a trend that is more common these days, and that annoys me. We are literally brought to a conclusion of certain events while leaving a huge vacuum in others. It is obvious that the story will continue in another book, which I look forward to reading. But there is nothing that makes me more annoyed than being invested in the characters and then having to stop just as the major plot is being expanded on.

Of course this is a smart way to launch a second book. As I mentioned, I will get the next book and read that as well. I would expect most who read this first book will want to continue the story. Because I think the investment in the characters is too involving not to continue.

I have avoided discussing any of the specifics of the characters and events in the story for a reason. They are worth reading about. My favorite characters are Christian Brookwater, Lord Tanata, and Melody. I expect them all to have much more emphasis in the next book. The potential is strong for each.

The author of the book, Steven Van Patten, has done a great job of making a world that is fresh and interesting in a genre that has become formulaic. His perspective on the strengths, weaknesses, and personal struggles of the characters is endearing. His style of writing is engrossing and generally quite good. His attention to details of history, and cultures, adds to the depth of the story and its base in reality.

I recommend Brookwater’s Curse to fans of vampires, fantasy, and afrocentric stories. Even if you are not a fan of these, but enjoy reading a good book I would say you should give this a read. And I expect that most of those that read the first book will be glad to hear that the second book is near its publishing date and will be available shortly.

Do let me know your thoughts when you read this.