Poem of the Week: Theresa Davis

            

                 

Because She Thinks She Is Going To Hell  

 

honey

you are not being judged

because your bones decided

maybe in a moment unplanned

to rest near my bones

passion has no punishment

except the ones

we place upon our own hearts

I mean

we were runaway trains that night

and I was wearing my voice

at just the right decibel

you never stood a chance

besides

I understand those urges

that make you question things

like sexuality and I want to know

what this feels like

regret doesn't live in my heart

it simply can't afford the rent

and I am no test dummy

no one takes advantage of me

without my permission

if your tongue is tied

my prayer is that your thoughts are not

I am drawn to all things beautiful

and like it or not you were

you are beautiful

I mean

we were a head-on collision that night

and I never saw you coming

well

until I did 

-Theresa Davis 

Used by permission. 

From After This We Go Dark, Sibling Rivalry Press, 2013. 

 

Theresa Davis has been a member of the ArtsInterface, Co-founder of Art Amok Slam Team, Women of the World Slam Champion (2011), poet in residence as the 2012 McEver Chair of Georgia Tech University, Emerging Artist Grant Recipient, co-producer of the staged poetry performance with Jon Goode "Wish You Were Here", and was honored by the City of Atlanta by declaring May 22 "Theresa Davis Day."

 

In July 2012, Theresa released her Chapbook Simon Says, poems about teaching and anti-bullying themes. This project, in partnership with the City of Atlanta's Bureau of Cultural Affairs, is a call to action to bring about an end to bully culture in our children's classrooms. In 2013, Theresa released her first published collection of poems entitled After This We Go Dark with Sibling Rivalry Press. 

  

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