I Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey
by
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MOTHERS
are like endless summer
THE WIND WHISPERS
Black woman, listen;
I have sought.
I love you
THE ENCHANTMENT (of the soul sister’s dance)
I felt the vibrations, even before the
I watched you lift your head I watched your firm breast rise DUSTY BLUES
I’m waiting, trying to understand why
So today I write blues, dusty blues, while
they take night, wrap it
tenderly in arms spanning
wide as eternity; they cup
sculptured hands that stroke
creating iconic-like prayer-painted
miracles, give the impossible
bring morning even when
the sun balks or night lingers
to laugh, stretching wholesale
always in maternal ardor
reaching over the edge
of the universe, forever
lifting the sun.
you are my woman and I
an ever present wind
holding weightlessly as
like immaculate whispers
flowing
everywhere.
I have grown.
Catch me cause
I need you to
hold fast and
believe
in my dream.
Black woman.
words began, you moving your body
with the grace of a gyrating swan.
eyes closed, fingers popping, face beaming
like sunlight, you breathing rhythm with
the taste of sweet-wild-plums
emitted among wind-floating-flowers
petals and dried leaves.
I watched the sweat roll slowly
then swiftly like rivers down
your African mountainsides.
and speak, your entire body moving,
in rocking motions, your
hips swaying, never missing
a beat . . . I watched you melt
in the sun, succumbing to
Marvin Gay’s "Sexual Healing."
things just get harder when thinking
without solutions, praying without
sun to gleam from, hoping another
drink will submerge me into that which
causes dust to rise into the blue of heaven,
Feeling you look at me, remembering
your sashay, sensing your spicy breath
even from across that room, you touching
without reaching your hand out or even
searching into my eyes to see if I hurt;
you, not giving a damn about anything.
The music wrangling about two bodies making
love, four arms unrestrained like meshed wire
curved about itself; you, even from way over
there, displaying questions about the day before
when I believed in all that I held, listening
to you say it would be gigantic, a stone, unmoved.
looking at others but seeing your image, being
reminded about your eyes, lips, us making love
finding the spirit of Nirvana, euphoric moments
exploding; I sit gnawed, holding a glass of gin
watching the ripples go out and roll back in.
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Book Details
About the Book
Revish Windham took his first creative writing course at Old Dominion University in 1967 while serving in the United States Navy. His first poems were published that year. He received his B.A. from Morris Brown College and M.P.A. from New York University. He began a civil service career in 1968 with the NYC Department of Social Services, then the NYS Division for Youth, and finally the NYS Division of Human Rights. He retired in June of 1999. I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey recaptures, at times quite vividly, memories of his growing up as a Black surviving in rural Alabama during the 1940’s and traveling thereafter to many places, meeting people, experiencing pain and joys, savored occasions, learning, finding and losing love, challenges faced and arriving at a specific designation. The poems are written in a language that can be understood by all, especially those whose dues helped to pay the transportation cost for the trip. There is sustained passion and uncompromising effort to display the overall experience of a Blackman, the struggles, the dignity, and how negativity can turn into a sharpened educational rod honed in creativity. The words are spoken in a strident, loving, angry, and even grandiose voice, explaining parts of the journey.
About the Author
Revish Windham was born in Panola, Alabama where he graduated from North Sumter High School. He attended Paine College, Augusta, Georgia, and received his Bachelor’s degree from Morris Brown College, Atlanta. Later he received his Master’s degree in Public Administration form New York University. During his service in the United States Navy, his first poetry was published in "United Poets," and Living Lyrics’ anthology "Best Contemporary Poetry 1967." His works have since appeared in many other magazines, anthologies, and newspapers. Revish began a long career in public service in 1968 beginning with the New York City Department of Social Services as a Caseworker, working with drug addicted individuals. He moved on to the New York State Division for Youth, addressing the needs of delinquent youth and their families. He was certified as a Cultural Awareness and Race Relations Trainer and conducted workshops within the Agency. He later moved on to the New York State Division of Human Rights from which he retired in June of 1999. He was also certified as a New York State Mediator and successfully conducted mediation sessions both within Human Rights and as a volunteer for the New York City Victim Services Agency. In 1970, Revish was one of five founders of Black Forum, a biannual literary magazine which was published until 1975. Over the years he has received numerous awards, certificates and other forms of recognition for his involvement, achievement and contribution to various worthy causes i.e. listed in Who’s Who in Black America and Who’s Who in Poets and Writers. Revish is a life member of the Morris Brown College Alumni Association, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the American Legion – Post 506. He is also a member of the 369th Veterans’ Association, Inc. & Auxiliary, Convent Avenue Baptist Church and Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons and the Ossining, New York branch of the NAACP. He is a member of the Board of Directors of two not-for-profit community organizations: Southeast Bronx Neighborhood Center, Inc., and Quality Vending Services, Inc.