My friend Pam

Pam with Sparrow Eyes So Deep

Pam with belly-laugh like music
Beaming from deep sparrow eyes so
Deep, in fact, they swallow
You to whisper all

Secrets meant for those who
Are survivors
Conquerors
Those who laugh on glory’s side and
Say Amen, Hallelujah, Thank You Jesus

Pam who every dark-dim morning
Wakes to soak in presence of
Her K’Dome baby boy
Who lies so hold-your-breath-still

Hope-giver to remind her of
The Gift
Before there was
No hope to give

Pam whose knees make base-drum
To the earth
In repetition day and night
To familiar sounds of

Sirens, Yelling
Knocking
Banging, Ringing
Screaming
Cursing, Blaring
Honking

Beat, beat, beat
Beat on the woman
Next door
Who just last night

To Pam said
"Thank you for your love and kindness to a stranger"
Through her black-berry pie so
Mouth-watering sweet to lick all fingers

Pam whose back is aching from
Carrying and bathing
Auntie with one leg
Who at one time kissed Pam's little-girl-forehead goodnight
Now throwing daggers; cursing for want of cigarettes and beer

Those sparrow eyes so deep to see
Bus 217 driver needs a smile so she calls him
By name and gives her belly-laugh that
Brings spark to his eye never there before