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Healer
church mother
yoruba high priestess
nandi
to the zulu
pentecostal scripture quotin’
holy water sprinklin’
talkin’ in tongues
wearin’white
you studied nursing
to learn to disguise
your own ancient ways
your knowing hands
have prepared birth canals
tied umbilical cords
closed eyelids
you see the storm
before the crickets
your skin crawls
when evil lurks
you closed your fertile gates
long ago
to keep a more vigilant watch
over them that came
over them that were sent
to your shade tree
your front porch
your holy place
I saw you step inside
the weak
inside
the innocent
touch their pain
and shout it out
I saw you
anointed with olive oil
full of the holy spirit
reach down deep
and rebuild backbones
close holes in hearts
rescue lost smiles
and souls
when you said ‘go’
I went
when you said
‘do the right thing’
I gave the child my name
now you say
read ecclesiastes and weigh
my own struggles
study king Solomon
and know real wisdom
‘this
is just the beginning’
so I’m making room in my hope chest
and saving energy
believing
in your knowing
and praying ways
Frank
X Walker
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