Anna Lemoitas-Salisbury
Came Back With A Clap Back
This is a poem for the woman of color Who likes sex, can say yes
In the dark/ in the light
In the sun, under the moonlight On satin sheets, on back seats
On a floor of leaves
To the tune of a mosquitos hum
This is a poem for the woman of color Who can except kisses
Here/ there and everywhere
On the kitchen floor
Pushed up against a door
In a back ally
What can I do for you daddy?
This is a poem for the woman of color Whipping wonder in her honey pot Learning and satisfying her own hot Advised by wisdom women before her “A man can’t do anything for you That your two fingers can’t do”
Whew, whew, whew, whew!
This is a poem for the woman of color Black, tan, brown and teak
Are unique
And not always synonymous with Come and get it
Come and touch it
Cause it’s hot, hot, hot!
This is a poem for the woman of color Heart and mouth agape
At the father, brother, familiars
And other lovers
Who did not call their harm rape Who left her stunned, shunned, shattered A pussy and mind bound and scattered
This is a poem for the woman of color Who reordered outside to match inside Who stares speculation down daily Focuses on a singular meditation
Of her woman work
Bringing forth her ballad
Her hymn/ her psalm
This is a poem for the woman of color Who walked on/ marched on
Crawled on/ wheeled on
Who suffered death and was buried And on the third day rose again
Defeated death with a defiant
“Not yet!”
This is a poem for the women of color Who weathered the saints/ the haints Came back with a clap back
Whirled her wand
Beat her face/ whipped her hair
Clicked her heels
To the ones who dared
This is a poem for the woman of color Who found justice joy jazz
In “I am enough!”
To those who’ve had it “Enough!”
Who reclaimed pleasure in her own principle And can say
Yes, yes, yes!
Anna Lemoitas-Salisbury has been featured at Camperdown, a poetry reading series at Halyards, Honey Dipped Productions, Body Love, Leaf Lit Live, WOC Reading Series, and her poetry, which was nominated for Best of the Net 2021, also appears in SFWP Quarterly, The Poets Corner, and La Libreta.