"American Sonnet for My Past and Future Assassin [When James Baldwin & Audre Lorde each lend]" by Terrance Hayes

American Sonnet for My Past and Future Assassin [When James Baldwin & Audre Lorde each lend]
by Terrance Hayes

When James Baldwin & Audre Lorde each lend
Stevie Wonder an eyeball, he immediately contends 
With gravity, falling either to his knees or flat on 
His luminous face. I’ve heard several versions 
Of the story.  In this one Audre Lorde dons 
Immaculate French loafers, turtlenecked ballgown, 
And afro halo. An eye-sized ruby glimmers on 
A pinky ring that’s a hair too big for Jimmy Baldwin’s 
Pinky. He’s blue with beauty. They’re accustomed 
To being followed, but now, the eye-patch twins
Will be especially scary to white people. Looking upon
Them, Wonder’s head purples with plural visions
Of blackness, gavels, grapples, purrs, pens. Ten to one 
Odds God also prefers to be referred to as They & Them.






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