(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/