Saloy - "Southern Sisters"

There’s a way

crescent city woman,

downtown brown sisters,

put a face towel

on their shoulders,

sweat rags for summers,

when it’s hot enough

to melt toe cheese

on the banquette.

There’s a way N’awlins women,

brick-headred sisters,

carry a ’kerchief

through long tan fingers;

it’s like

the hand that fans you.

There’s a way crescent city sisters

throw a wink

with a wide smile.

So good,

makes you want to kiss yo’ mamma, yeah,

makes you want to kiss yo’ mamma, yeah.

There’s a way the home

of hucklebuck women

tip a hat to the side on their heads

and strut — all dressed up to kiss —

like queens of the ebony isles.

makes you want to kiss yo’ mamma, yeah,

makes you want to kiss yo’ mamma, yeah.

Saloy, Mona Lisa. Red Beans and Ricely Yours: Poems. New Odyssey Series. Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Pr., 2005.

Saloy, Mona Lisa. Second Line Home: New Orleans Poems. New Odyssey Series. Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Pr., 2014.