freeway-graffiti:

You Move Me - Gina Loring

You move me like

14 years old

the autobigraphy of malcom x changed my life

roots age 19

you move me like a long cool drink of water

after the steepest hike on the hottest day

like Lena Horne’s grace

and Alice Walkers words

and Billie Holiday’s life

like..like the time i met Mr. T

flinging myself into his arms like a little girl at 22

overcome with an emotion i did not realize i had

you see we.. of the fatherless tribe love men differently

like i love Mr. T

Sherman Hensley, Bill Cosby and, Arsenio

yes Arsenio

because they were constants

for at least a period of time present in my home

in my living room

in my adolescence

as no other men were so I love them

Mr. T

that is how you move me

like humility

lessons

joy

grief

daydreams

truth

because I am leo

so I walk with my head high

and act like I’m cool but really

I’m scared

and you are the constellation that guides me home

the star that lights my path

remind me of love and hope and action and dignity

like Mohammad Ali

we will stand for something

and I am sensitive

and not a morning person

and nit picky about lint

and sometimes too emotional

and other times not emotional enough

because my youth was bruised and you massage me back to life

with your rhythm

your words

your spirit

you move me like wind

like 5 years old

Rabbi Neal strums the guitar

familiar

and you shall love your Lord your God with all your might

I pretend to read from the prayer book

I can’t really read yet

but i pray real

like 20 years old meeting my brother for the first time

my smile on his face

my eyes looking into my eyes

and so much pain behind both our eyes that I had to look away

you move me like 1984 olympics

Rayford Johnson was my hero

and every man of my life will be forever compared to him

because he used to put me on his shoulders

and I was special

if only every now and then

you move me like

native american prayer songs

like graffiti on the freeway

and jeans that fit perfectly

like hip hop

like Ella Fitzgerald

Scott amazing eyes are blue

like up and down the slip and sideways

harmonzing honey M’s

you move me like sunshine

like you

fred hampton

speaks truth

stands

sonnets

thunder in the sky

rock the world

shock em

shake em

make em see

without a doubt you most definitely

move me

(via atreegrowsinbrixton)