Tender Headed: Poems for Nappy Thoughts I Left Uncombed

By Takesha Powell

"This book is one all poetry lovers should get their hands on. It sets you free to hear a writer speak with such clarity that the words seem to jump off the page."
-Tina Kohl
Author of My Poetic Voices

Poetry released in such an emotional and powerful way is a direct link to reach the market. African-Americans have always been at the forefront of the spoken word explosion. But Tender Headed makes it known that poetry is a real force to be dealt with. With words that seem to explode off the page about everything from sex to marriage to racial prejudice, this book seems to conquer it all.

Tender Headed is the kind of poetry one reads when there is a need to be uplifted, entertained and educated.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 9, 2002
• ISBN: 9781462082452

Takesha Powell

Takesha Powell, author of The Goode Sisters has been published in Black Elegance and Belle magazines. Her second novel, Baby Fathers is due in stores Fall 2003.

Book preview

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Slave Not Yet Free

Cornrows & Afros

Mississippi

Tina

Ode To Frederick Douglas

Colored

Down South

Alabama Projects

Mother’s Child

Allusions

A Kiss

Growth

Myself

Black Boys Are In Bensenhurst

Another Ghetto Song

Why I Am A Threat To Society

High on park avenue

When the lights are on

Player’s Theme

Sometimes

1997

Role-Playing

Aphrodisiomania

WomanGirl

Motionless Love

Stupid

Today

Emancipation

Pride

Determined To Be Determined

Looking Down From NoWhere

In My Image

Kiss My Ass

Tight Like That

Odor of My Sex

WAIT

WHATCHAGONNADONOW

In Search of

Brooklyn; 2 A.M Friday

For Rivers That Have Stopped Flowing

Who Are They, Anyway?

Without Reason

Mysticism

Brother Loves Him Some

Man Afraid of His Reflections

Soulmate of 30 seconds

Untitled

December

Untitled 2

Mercy For The Man Who Loves In The City At

Twenty-Five Miles An Hour

Single On Sunday Night

HARLEM

Whence You Came

Water on My Back

The Shape I’m in

Sugar Cane

Booty Calls

The Meeting

To My Grandmother,

The Brightest Angel

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

First and foremost, I’d like to thank God for allowing me the opportu-

nity to deliver words that cause others to read.

As there are too many names to mention, I chose to collectively

thank my family, friends, and associates near and far.

I also have to give much love and respect to The Queen City Poets

of Plainfield, New Jersey. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the

courage or determination to express my poetry. You are all an amazing

group of talent. Special thanks to Marie at Majoco for all the support.

You give breath to poetry and art when it is most needed. God bless

you.

And I send my heartfelt thanks to all the readers and fellow writers.

I appreciate all the encouragement you give me.

INTRODUCTION 

After the success of my first novel, The Goode Sisters, I was encour-

aged to self-publish this book as well. But more than just poetry, this

book was a labor of love. Oftentimes life for a black woman is very dif-

ficult. When I graduated from college I expected a different world than

the one that awaited me. Subsequently, I fell into debt and despair,

among other trials and tribulations folks experience. That was when I

turned to poetry as an outlet for my frustrations.

Shortly thereafter, I began traveling and reciting my poetry at local

venues. The spoken word circuit has exploded beyond small

bookstores and soul food restaurants into movies, television and