Black Summertime
I’m ready for summertime
ready for Uncle Charlie on the grill
talking over his bluetooth
“Whatcha say now?”
With dogs for us and brisket for grown folks
I’m ready for summer
ready for running through woods and away from picture perfect pressed clothes
ready to poof out my press
running ‘round tables slapping dominoes and beverages too big for my britches
ready for, “Baby you done grown and You shol look like ya momma”
ready for “Why don’t y’all gon’ sing us one of dem songs and show us some of y’all lil dance moves”
Cause my feet been ready to shuffle and slide
been cleaning all day
auntie making us listen to music from the good ole days as she passes down recipes to all of granny’s sides
Ready to be wit’ my cousins
blocking cars from cruising our block ‘cept for breaks we took swiping sips from the water hose
I’m ready to slick my edges and slide on a fresh fit
“Something y’all don’t know nothing bout”
I’m ready to walk to the pool and park
racing routes to beat streetlight curfews
Tryna give sugar to my granny
I'm ready for summertime
ready for Uncle Charlie on the grill
talking over his bluetooth
“Whatcha say now?”
With dogs for us and brisket for grown folks
I’m ready for summer
ready for running through woods and away from picture perfect pressed clothes
ready to poof out my press
running ‘round tables slapping dominoes and beverages too big for my britches
ready for, “Baby you done grown and You shol look like ya momma”
ready for “Why don’t y’all gon’ sing us one of dem songs and show us some of y’all lil dance moves”
Cause my feet been ready to shuffle and slide
been cleaning all day
auntie making us listen to music from the good ole days as she passes down recipes to all of granny’s sides
Ready to be wit’ my cousins
blocking cars from cruising our block ‘cept for breaks we took swiping sips from the water hose
I’m ready to slick my edges and slide on a fresh fit
“Something y’all don’t know nothing bout”
I’m ready to walk to the pool and park
racing routes to beat streetlight curfews
Tryna give sugar to my granny
I'm ready for summertime
Jasmine Harris is an educator, poet, and essayist featured in the Hidden Sussex Anthology, Prometheus Dreaming, Syndrome Magazine, and a few others. She focuses her writing on intersectional identity, aspects of community, and popular culture. Harris frequently quotes her inspirations as Maya Angelou, Ntozake Shange, and Tupac Shakur. Stay updated with her work and projects through her website or by following her on Instagram @dr_harris.
Art: Public Domain