I stand in front of my mirror, examining my body, checking for new lines, blemishes, wrinkles, those things that come with a maturing body. I hold up my hair to get an unfettered view of my back and realise for the first time that no matter how I twist and turn, I cannot see the nape of my neck. I…
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Mirrors
I’m breaking all my mirrors, that bad luck don’t phase me. When I look in your eyes, your reflection of me is the only mirror that I need.
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Don’t
Don’t look at me that way It makes me want to stay Forget everything I thought I had to do And spend my days in love with you Don’t make me smile like that Now I feel so relaxed I want to feel like this forever Sail away on a boat to wherever Don’t touch my skin right there It…
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Growing up West Indian
I so want my children to grow up West Indian With the carefree confidence of children who know the world belongs to them
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The Letter
Dear Mom and Dad, I am writing this letter because I finally understand my life.
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English as a Foreign Language
My children began their schooling in the United States. One afternoon, shortly after they moved here, I overheard them speaking about one of their friends and they mentioned that he or she spoke “Kittitian”.
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Our Way
Older child was upset with younger child and ordering her around in a not-so-nice voice. I told him that this was not a nice way to talk, and she chimes in “Yes, Mitchell’s don’t talk to people like that.”
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Snatched Air
I swear that it was the 100th time she had called my name, pleading, plaintively, “Mommy” from the backseat of the car as I battled traffic to get her to school on time and get back to a 9:15 meeting. “What do you want!” I snapped. I did not look back, but in my mind’s eye, I could see her…
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Royal Matters
Baby girl announces she is now a princess. Me: “OK Baby girl.” She corrects me: “Say OK Princess.”
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Nursery Rhymes
Baby girl says that she wants to play with big brother’s friend, Jack. Big brother: “No, he is my friend, not yours.” Baby girl: “Okay, I want to play with Jill”. And then laughs hysterically.