A Poem for Rudy

A Poem for Rudy

By Latorial Faison

Redefining the state of our
Union as Black folk
Dealing with the duality
Of our own truth, to
Love or hate what our
People
Have become

Lest we forget
Every voice of the past
While waiting for what was,
Is and will be our
Savior

* * * * *

In order to become whole we must try, in a long process, to discover our own personal truth, a truth that may cause pain before giving us a new sphere of freedom. If we choose instead to content ourselves with intellectual "wisdom," we will remain in the sphere of illusion and self-deception.

—Alice Miller, The Drama of the Gifted Child and the Search for the True Self

posted 22 August 2006

Latorial Faison is a native of Courtland, Virginia. She's a graduate of UVA and VA TECH. Latorial has authored two collections of poetry, Secrets Of My Soul (2001) and Immaculate Perceptions (Cross Keys Press, 2002). Her work has been featured in various literary journals, magazines and websites. Most recently, Latorial was published in Tavis Smiley's latest anthology, Keeping the Faith.

She teaches English and Writing in Central Texas where she resides with her husband and two sons. Latorial is currently working on a third book of poetry, a children's book and possibly a fiction novel. Visit her online at www.latorial.com.