F.H. Broxton: Too Long From Home

Teach me
How to whisper
Love's longing, ecstasies,
In Swahili or Arabic
Tonight.

Caress,
Hum and mouth each
Consonant, breathe vowels
Native to our motherland, and
See me,

As queen
Clothed in linens,
Silks, leather on my feet.
Am I regal and proud enough?
Lovely?

Believe
These processed strands
Parted, plaited, and greased,
Styled, crowned like Queen Nefatari
On throne.

That face,
Furrowed brow and
Bitten lip confuse me.
Have we been gone so long from home?
Indeed.