Untitled, by Sonia Sanchez

it’s gittin cold in here. that’s a cold

wind she walkin with. that granbaby of mine.

rummagin the house wid her eyes.

rummagin me wid her look.

where you been to girl? been waitin for you

to come home. huh. how you be walter?

you lookin better today girl. marlene

baby we need to talk. we need to sit

down and talk bout what you doin

wid yo life. i ain’t gon be here forever. but

this money i give you everyday.

this money you usin to eat up your bones everyday.

this money, you need mo of each day is

killin you baby. let me help you outa

this business you done got yo self into.

let me take you to the place miz jefferson

took her son to. you too young and pretty

and smart to just spend yo days walkin

in and out of doors.

yes. i has yo money. yes. i be here when

you come back. but. but. but. alright. Here’s

10 dollars. from now on out jest 10 dollars

outa yo mama’s insurance money.

that all you need to waste each day on

that stuff. jest 10 dollars. no. i’m not

foolin girl. jest 10 dollars.

From “Wounded in the House of a Friend” by Sonia Sanchez. (Beacon: $15; 94 pp.) 1995 Reprinted by permission.