(A riff of Enuf, Ntozake Shange)

At 4:30 am

I rise and I wunder

Is dis what lyfe has

To offer/ little ol me?

Am I gonna die/ today

Am I gonna die tomorrow?

What am I getting

From this here/ life?

I am a woman

I am coloured

I am unwed

What do I gots

Coming/ besides death

Heartbreak and failure

I cant keep livin

This way/miseruble and

dull. No life

 is in my cheeks

Anymore/since I was 11.

He took sumthin

From me/ my first

Born would have been

Handsome/gorgeous a

Precious baby.

He was attracted

To my wide hips/ and

Full lips/ golden skin

And my peppermint scent

I have nuthin

To live for/die

For/ because I

Am a woman

I am coloured

And I am unwed

My baby smiles

Down at me/ I can

Hear him saying

Mama/ its ok/

I am safe now/ you

Will be too/