Thursday, August 27, 2020

#003 Sisters with ASSateague via Autumn LaBella

August is coming to a bittersweet end as leaves begin to crunch and I cram last minute beach trips with my sisters into my calendar. Cardigans and hoodies are revived from the back of closets as nights get cooler. Being in love seems more complex when the sun decides to seduce us with ephemeral rays, almost as if it is testing our hearts, waiting to see if we will burn bright until next summer. 

Nevertheless, I have been learning, preparing, looking and listening. I have come to adore the quiet moments when I can recline peacefully with my paperbacks or notepads in hand, those moments when I can spend hours reading and reviewing poetry, especially that of Afro-American women. Nourishment is received with humility and gratitude as I diligently note the stanzas, proverbs, and new terms that leave me with transformational realization. My most recent trip to the Assateauge Island shoreline in Northern Maryland reminded me that I am worthy of every drop of love, sisterhood, mercy, grace, renewal, release and JOY that I receive.

Since my return, I've been catching myself dancing in the mirror to my own vibrant, wave-like, cerebral rhythms. 

Enjoy my thoughts beloved!

(Free Verse)

Unique terrain, yes white sand      

Who would have thought that we would find that only hours away?!

Road trips & the ocean

Sisters & heartbeats

Waves & love

Views of breathtaking vastness

Nipsey blue skies

Rolling weed, cruise control on for winding rolling hills that rarely see sisters with these hips

Finally at the shoreline

Sand between my toes

Horses live their best unbothered life here,

Stallions in this era are inevitable but African depth & African beauty on display is rare

We brought champagne

For cheers

To toast

You don't feel that heavenly breeze?

If no one's looking I'll try to kiss it back

Relax

Rest

Release

Body at ease, inhabited with peace

Listening

Breathing

Glowing

Being

We brought yellow watermelon for Oshun

Timing is important, we picked the perfect day to hear her sing

She splashes us with purpose

We are comforted by Yemeja,

Mami Wata never lets her daughters float too far away

So I offered her cowry shells in my hair, on my purse, and on my vest

She let me read my beach books

And listen to our beach songs

She let us take pictures of and with her

We made the sun jealous,

We made memories from the purest joy.








written by Autumn LaBella, photos by Autumn LaBella: Assateague Beach, 2020

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