AFRICAN QUEENS GROW EVERYWHERE

You look like an African Queen

Your hair all done up

In hills and valleys of braids

Divided, twisted, turned into more

Complicated patterns of braids

Gold pins adorn the top of your head

Create a universe of suns

Braids long to curl in intimate places

Snake down, telltale S's tendrils and spit curls

Trace down your forehead

Frame your soft round brown face

Fine doubles S's playfully extend down your neck

Endear my heart to spit curls,

Eyes cast, half-mast

Lips gently parted, full and moist

Of what do you dream, my teenage African Queen

I watch you and wonder who you are,

What do you think of and where

Goes your mind when you gaze?

I speculate about your family, your friends

Your enemies, your past,

Who made you what you are?

What have you suffered? What makes you glow?

Or smile My African Queen?

I study your expressions, they linger then flee,

A constant flux, a flow, stop and go

Ahh hah, ... Caught in a momentary thought

A spider web, a flicker of light

Shadows flitter cross your face,

Deep set eyes, warm, dark brown swirling pools,

... Is it anger I see?

Your slightly curled lips reveal disdain

And your ever-vigilant nature

EVER OBSERVANT ... ALWAYS WATCHFUL,

I CAUGHT YOU ON MY SUBWAY RIDE