Poem #7 Snafu

            Snafu*

Burn some sage when you need to be clear.
Throw some pennies in your doorway when you run out of money.
Don’t ever place your purse on the floor if you want to avoid financial difficulties.


(Your son has a hearing a problem; he will have to wear hearing aids.)


I miss Brooklyn and they don’t give a fuck stride of a Brooklyn man.
I miss hair extensions, Hip Hop and Harlem.
I miss cheap Gucci bags and acrylic nails.
I miss Makeba, Shawanda, Mecca and Tracy—girls who suck their thumbs, place arms akimbo and tell you don’t you talk about my momma!

I miss giving people love just because you like their vibe.

(We can’t hire you because your Danish isn’t good enough)


Things to do:
Get a job
Learn Danish and oh yeah, bury your father.


(I don’t think I’ve ever loved you)
Read a book when you want to end it all.
Look at your son’s caramel eyes when you want to leave.
Don’t smoke cigarettes if you don’t want to get cancer.

(Hvor lange har du boet her I Danmark?
How long have you lived in Denmark? )


Stop drinking coffee.
Give yourself a footbath.
Finish your novel (oh yeah, forgot about that one)
Meet Line for dinner.
Eat even when you’re not hungry.

(Hvorfor kom du her til Danmark?
Why did you move to Denmark? )

Things to do:
Learn Danish so you can get into University.
Speak Danish all the time; it’s the only way you’ll ever learn!
Pick up Kai!

(Mor, hvorfor er du sort?
Mommy, why are you Black? )

Don’t talk too much.
Listen more.
Stop apologizing.
Finish what you start.

(Mor hvorfor er du ikke hvid?
Mommy, why are you not white?)

Don’t be so loud and definitely stop being so emotional!
Take more pride in how you look!
Gain some weight!
Don’t have sex.
Have sex.

(God Lesley, can you stop talking so loud please?)


* “Situation normal: all fucked up”. Old WWII term

A mishap or mistake generally caused by incompetence and resulting in delay or confusion (informal)

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