A Daybreak in Westchester

                                 By Areather

When I woke up

there was the fresh air

smelling morning

on my skin. A warm

summer breeze poured

through an opened window

The songs of birds

and crickets coaxed

me to my feet

as the sun rose golden

on the eastern horizon

*   *   *   *   *

Daybreak on Edmondson Avenue

                             By Marlene Wilson

When I get to be a mother

I'm gonna hear birds chirping

I'm gonna hear dogs barking

see the sun rise

from out the dark morning

and rain falling falling out the sky

like blueberry tarts

I'm gonna plant tall, green

trees and praise the sweet smell

of peas and the rain-soaked earth

And I'm gonna love long

black necks and fat-covered faces

and big brown bodies

*   *   *   *   *

Daybreak in Maryland

                     By Waynetta Rocquemore

When I woke up this morning

I felt a light breeze

through my window.

My mother was walking

around the house.

It was still dark:

the street lights were on.

Birds cried out:

I knew it would be daybreak soon

But my mind was somewhere else.

*   *   *   *   *

The Strength of My Love

                   By William H. Harris

If you aren't sure

of the strength

of my love for you, ask yourself

how much you love me

Again, ask yourself why

you love me. Then, if you still

not sure, then look into my eyes

and think of my arms around you

my lips upon your lips.

Then, my darling,

you will know I am Love/

I am proud of you

all because you are part

of me. Now you should know

that I love you

because since we met

you married me, becoming

part and of of me.

O, how I love thee!

*   *   *   *   *