The Art of Mothering


The Art of Mothering
by Latorial Faison

It’s being purposely designed
To carry out a great feat
It’s being predestined
To make circles in life complete

It’s being given enough wisdom
To love and to understand
It’s being built for every challenge
All that motherhood will demand

It’s being endowed with power
To bring forth new life
It’s being showered with the joy
And prepared for the strife

It’s being blessed with the honor
Of replenishing the Earth
It’s being chosen for the miracle
Of natural and spiritual birth

It’s the most unique art form
It's sacrifice and conviction
It's the art of mothering
The sum of passion and conviction


Copyrighted  © May 4, 2013 Latorial D. W. Faison
www.latorialfaison.com
Posted by

A Dream Planted
























A Dream Planted 
(for Lillie) by Latorial Faison

Little fair one
planted 
beyond the brink
of two country roads
that crossed
with gathered strength you grew
not forgetting old dirt roads
or yielding fields
you once knew
eyes wide open
you believed
what imaginings gave way to
in self-portraits and God’s eyes
painting tapestries
of dreams
with colorful words and
worlds handed down
embracing truth
predestined fruit
the totality of dreams
a few times 
deferred
it began with you
at the hands of you
the hands of those hands
that planted you
never mind all the ways
roses grow or spray
keep standing
most useful
most beautiful
in full bloom

Copyrighted May 2012 Latorial D. W. Faison
Posted by

Ode to a Matriarch


"Kiowa Matriarch" Art by Robert Redbird, Sr.









Ode to a Matriarch
by Latorial Faison

Swift and vibrant like a surprising wind
Removing doubt and proceeding in
So wise, so sure, so confident, at ease
In defining ways, our fears relieved
Embracing life in every season
With care, regard, passion and reason
Unafraid, outspoken, ever so sure
Intelligently leading, a strength so pure
Rendering to beloveds the best of thee
In love, in spirit, by thy charity
No greater love, no greater heart
Than that of thou, true matriarch
How excellent that in cherished time
Heaven joined our hearts, this hope to find
This hope that binds and leads us on
This hope now come to lead thee home

 Copyrighted February 27, 2013 Latorial Faison
www.latorialfaison.com

Posted by

Rise Again


Rise Again


We are broken
the hands of time reversed

as we turn channels
and see us 
half dressed
embarrassing nakedness

in commercial minutes
we undo movements
years spent 
fighting
for freedom and respect

we give it back

 we misrepresent gender 
for politics
because money happened
to our struggle

nonetheless
we have fallen
to the feet 
of irreverent men

again




Copyrighted March 2003-2013 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
Adapted from "Another Fall from Grace" from Immaculate Perceptions by Faison (2003)



Posted by

For Mama

On my mind
always
for you were there
for me
never forgetting
that life
the love
the lessons taught
the joy of 
Sunday meals
late night talks
and country folk 
mishaps and 
misfortunes
how you prayed 
for me to be
somebody's woman
late to bed
early to rise
your hands
hard at labor
kneading dough
turning wheels
cooking meals
for eating
for teaching
for me



Copyrighted 2003 Latorial D. Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
from Immaculate Perceptions (Cross Keys Press, 2003)
Posted by

Reformation


Girl, let it go . . . 
be done with it
looking in the mirror
despising what you see

life is miserable because we
make our own ways weary
giving in to the wrong men
crying the blues, needing a friend

lacking hope and self respect inside
to continue the cycle of life living,
learning, loving, and finding ourselves
in pictures of our mothers 

brave from the beginning
end this life of nothingness
realize your strength,
your power within
Copyright © 2012 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
from Secrets of My Soul (Cross Keys Press, 2001)
Posted by

Pure Thought

by Latorial Faison

I'm never my own woman
too many reasons
not to be
the world
discourages me
so I hibernate
in every season
until life decides
to give me
a reason
to express myself.
I am one woman
of one cynical time
with a pessimistically
made up mind
so get behind me
don't walk beside me
until I've occurred to you
like a pure thought.



Copyright © 2001 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
Posted by

Afghan Woman


Afghan Woman

I have come 
to know you 
only by tv
and lately
when I see you
I weep
for fear
for freedom
for you

I stand 
in the shoes 
of femininity 
with rights and choices

I have arrived
by the grace of God
through ancestors

I shed tears 
for you
she who can finally
maybe once again
wear her beauty
feel this freedom

You've been 
denied
priceless, precious 
moments

You've been 
denied
enhancements
education

But maybe now
from the abyss of war 
you'll know victory
for yourself
for your children
your country

Maybe now
you'll live out 
dreams 
you've dreamed

We are similar
you are woman
I am woman

We desire 
to be made whole
to live lives fulfilling
destiny

I see you
with covered faces 
and bodies
just moments after having 
sold your children 
that you both might eat
after living in fear 
of savagery

I see your pain
am called 
by your name
because my face
was also covered
my ankles whipped
my books
taken

I live in fear 
I pray for peace 
each time tv 
brings you 
near

You are here
I am there

Across the miles 
I've come to share 
your pain



Copyright © 2003 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
Posted by

We Die Daily

A man lives
he falters
he often fails

Yet the world
mocks him not
with rumored tales

A woman
dies daily
trying her best

Will the world
ever cease
gender unrest



Copyright © 2004 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
Posted by

Woman



Woman


She is every ounce 

of "strength, courage and wisdom"

in trace amounts of man and -isms


She is the effervescence of life:

destiny, faith in our fathers,

love, light, hope for tomorrows


She's the seed of prosperity

bringing forth virtuous fruit

faith, charity, resilience and truth


She is the dawn 

of every tomorrow

speaking peace to every sorrow


She is woman for God's plan

she was chosen

by His hand




Copyright © 2003 Latorial Faison
Posted by

A Woman In Today's World

A Woman in Today's World


A woman in today's world
must have beliefs, some backbone
prepare for the struggle
the day she might be left alone

A woman in today's world
must see beyond the beauty of a sunset
have a praying pride, a plan "B"
when her universal needs go unmet

A woman in today's world
must be strong to survive
make the very best decisions
fight like hell to stay alive

A woman in today's world
has a heap of responsibility
working hard, holding on
bearing love and humility.

A woman in today's world
must be her effeminate self, be free
tread the path of her ancestors
recall the pain of their history.

A woman in today's world
must be ever ready and strong 
a remarkably leading spirit
in times of storm

A woman in today's world
must make the ultimate sacrifice
bring hope to the masses
usher in new life


Copyright © 2001 Latorial Faison | www.latorialfaison.com
Adapted from Secrets of My Soul by Faison (2001)


Posted by