01 – A Tear

~~~ Shedding a tear honors those lives lost in tragedy. Whether via airplane crash, building collapse or bomb blast on battle fields filled with mines each fallen civilian or soldier deserves to be remembered. Let your tears fall freely while standing on domestic or foreign soil; do not allow their deaths to be in vain. […]

Angel Mom

~~~ Love lives forever; it’s energy spreads wide with wisp of wings, blowing breezes over me like mom’s kisses, warm happiness washes over my being. She is now light, like energy love’s power never fades. With a glance at her coat chair, or Bible I remember, hugs. Sense of humor lives too; playing hide and […]

For Mommy…With Love

~~~ You gave me a childhood filled with joy and laughter. Silly giggles on somedays Monty Python on most Saturdays. Exploring the vastness of Chicago with super-transfers in hand on Sundays; we went everywhere discovering what the city held for mother and child. Early you taught me to seek knowledge by surprising the social worker […]

Moving Back Home

~~~ Guess, I’ll move back home, Southeast where I came from. There were Jim Crow laws in my younger days and hatred keeping me down. Moved to New York to be free and dance at the Savoy. Went on to Baltimore for better pay, next stop Chicago for over forty years. This body and these […]

Sometimes

~~~ Sometimes, my mom would to sit me down Next to a stack of ironing She would go over language lessons while Pressing out imperfections and wrinkles This was my pre-school education Her gift of time A luxury she never had as a child She was the eldest of many So bright – so young […]

Divine Teachings

~~~ She speaks to us Sunday mornings with care; not here without experiencing despair and strife. Anointed to teach us and share God’s words about eternal life. She blesses us with truth and reality; reminds us of her past filled with meanness and fights. Yet today she holds her head high with dignity; her teaching […]

A Haiku

Ascend

~~~ Aspire to be the best In all you do Shun mediocrity That’s not for you Keep faith in God You’ll pass every test Abide in him For there is rest Success is yours It’s so near You can overcome impossibilities, so never fear by: Billye Hardy © 2009 ~~~

2005 Wimbledon

~~~ On her tennis racket ride all those little brown girls, who don’t know a grass covered world. By chance they sit and see their mirror image on TV. Long and lean stretching to hit yellow ball beyond her opponents reach; she runs and makes each shot seem so easy. Believe me it […]

Completion

~~~ Seventh generation you returned as promised warrior woman given the duty to heal. Returned for the next seven generations birthed from ravaged wombs. You brought tranquility with hugs peaceful food to heal minds and spirits. Standing strong as your shoulders hold the weight of seven pasts. Doing your duty so […]