Performed by Val Cole

POEM:

Inspired by Li-Young Lee’s “Early in the Morning”

Before the paperboy
delivers the news,
Before the sun has broken the horizon,
Before the coffee machine starts
the morning brew–

I sit on the bed,
run the ebony comb
through my matted hair,
and listen to it snap through kinks.

I pull and tug, comb
and coax, pin and fix,
placate my mane
with warm hair grease.

My lover stirs, still exhausted from nighttime tumbles.
If I could, I would rejoin her—
let her fingers get caught in my hair
as I soothe her out of sleep.
But I know I will wait till evening,
after we draw the curtains,
and give in to the secrets
our mothers don’t know.

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of this poem is love; even if it's secret, it can be beautiful.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I was inspired by Li-Young Lee's poem "Early in the Morning" and my own
exploration of my sexuality.

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I've been writing poetry most of my life. I think I started in middle
school!

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would
that be?

I'd be happy to have dinner with Maya Angelou (she was such as force, and
we could cook together) or Li Bai (I think our appreciation of nature is
similar)!

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a
professional actor?

It was a new opportunity, and I was interested in how someone else might
read my work.

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I've written a fantasy fiction novel and some novellas, but poetry has my
heart!

7) What is your passion in life?

Writing poetry and teaching others the beauty and benefits of writing
poetry!