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)

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

By avery r. young

About this Poet

avery r. young is an interdisciplinary artist and educator from the West Side of Chicago. young’s work chronicles Black life, history, imagination, and culture through language, visuals, sound, and performance.

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