From “dem time(s) when aunt esther use(d) skinRite complexion correckor to look like Josephine Baker &/or Elizabeth”

By avery r. young
slate 1
 
A collage of a figure's face made of wood and duct tape. Text overlay reads "Esther / juin(tenth) 1935 / á 22 heures / AU BAL GORILLE / liquor heavy/backseat/cognac chevy/him a fine-fine fin(d) / hammerin kin(d)/three round(s) after midnight/two mo(re) befo(re) sun shine(d) / so much fo(r) dat innocence of mine/sho nuff gorilla(d)/dat thrill(r) dat firs(t) time
 

slate 2
 
Collage of a painted bare-breasted person wearing a grass skirt. Text overlay reads: "ESTHER / áout 1936 / á 13 heures / AU BAL GORILLE / had to meet mama & daddy/if him want(id) mo(re) belly roll tric(k) / evah-ready freddy wobblin up porch/hair slick(r) den a white man promise / saw elizabeth/said screw de baboon/& hand(id) her gardenia(s) leanin in fis(t)


slate 4
 
Painted portrait. Figure has a blank face and black hair tied in bows. Text overlay reads: "ESTHER / le prochain matin / á 09 heures / AU BAL GORILLE / cake & erybody gone/sat in mirror/wep(t) king kong strong / den daydream(d) of bein queen josephine/ & callin paris home / said 3 time(s) to mirror/i aint a gorilla/den bash(d) its face wif hot com(b)

 
Source: Poetry (January 2019)