Friday Feature: Imani Nikelle
- Jae Nichelle
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 5 hours ago
Imani Nikelle is a southern-born, East Coast dwelling poet & filmmaker. Her poetry is published or forthcoming in Callaloo, The Columbia Review, Poet Lore, and elsewhere. She is currently earning an MFA in Literary Arts from Brown University.
AMERICAN QUILT
mailmen, porches
the flag. sweet
southern thistles
of americana
my ass.
plains of sun-kissed
nothing. soiled soil
& the pickling.
blessed hangs the
fruit. this time
not a body.
blackened leaves
cut with sweet n’
low
how to pattern
it. master the
returning. knees
flaking on hot dust
that carries
all the history
of a given name
singed in your throat.
a light-eyed mister
who drives past
your mother’s house
to sniff at your skirt
take this & eat.
or tear it into
a perfect square.
easy living
wonders of this world:
chicken-fried steak, two
car garages, natural blondes,
my ass.
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Torch Literary Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit established to publish and promote creative writing by Black women. We publish contemporary writing by experienced and emerging writers alike. Programs include the Wildfire Reading Series, writing workshops, and retreats.
