Legacy—Hers

When love leaps from my mouth 
cadenced in that Grenada wisdom 
upon which I first made holy war 
then I must reassess
all my mother's words 
or every path I cherish.

Like everything else I learned from Linda 
this message hurtles across still uncalm air 
silent  tumultuous  freed water
descending an imperfect drain.

I learn how to die
from your many examples 
cracking the code of your living 
heroisms  collusions  invisibilities 
constructing my own
book of your last hours 
how we tried to connect 
in that bland spotless room 
one bright Black woman
to another  bred for endurance 
for battle

      island women make good wives 
      whatever happens they've seen worse...

your last word to me was  wonderful 
and I am still seeking the rest
of that terrible acrostic