poem 3

in life
one is alwaysbalancing
like we juggle our mothersagainst our fathers
or one teacheragainst another

(only to balance our grade average)
3 grains of saltto one ounce truth
our sweet black essence
or the funky honkies down the street
and lately i've begun wondering
if you're trying to tell me something

we used to talk all night
and do things alone together
and i've begun
(as a reaction to a feeling)
to balance
the pleasure of loneliness
against the pain
of loving you