The first time I spoke to Katie was on the phone. My beloved sister comrade Sydette told me to talk to her "wifey." Witnessing the most beautiful supportive and kick-ass friendship and sharing a loved one with Katie made me feel connected to her and appreciative even before I finally got to meet her in person. We went through some things we probably should not have had to go through in the city of Boston, but the clarity remained. Katie is a person who shows up for the people she loves. And she loves to love people.
I love you Katie!!!
And for your own love poem based on Audre Lorde's "Marvelous Arithmetics of Distance" and to support my journey to learn more about the meaning of love from Audre Lorde and the brilliant loving black feminist Gloria Joseph join the journey here: http://alexispauline.chipin.com/praise-the-lorde-st-croix-dream-trip
Professional
For Katie Kuhl
After Audre Lorde’s “Do You Remember Laura”
path grows slick with tread
well-read commute to be your word
boroughs and sidewalks align
names provisional
single-minded purpose
to get where you go
to love who you love
like its your first job
and the only one that matters
gather your tools
something soft
something sweet
something that smells really good
first aid for the spirit
stat pack for head and hands on call
i think of you as a professional
in my mind you are in transit
somewhere in the city
on the way
to love
way I see it
that’s all you do
show up in love
show up to start the clock
show up to turn the light on
show up ready to blow up
anything resembling harm
you heal
with the force of sheer determination
a daily clarity
an urgent walk
saying
no matter who hates you
I will love you
more often
count on it
love becomes a regular miracle
dependable continual here
it’s a numerical strategy
endurance
say it matter of fact
nothing can hurt you
for longer than I will love you
when the world forgets what it even meant
by capitalist die fuck of never care
i will still be here holding your hand
reminding you
you fucking rock
you are how I know love wins
sun has nothing
seasons fall out the sky
water dry out into gills on our backwards ribs
asteroid hit
whole thing fall away
and you will still show up
purse filled with something sacred
something soft
something sweet
something that smells really good
genocidal apathy
structural ignorance
and the deadly arrogance of greed
have lost already
they should have got you first
picked you for their team
but they didn’t know what we know
Katie was the guru that trained the care bears
how to open their hearts
Valentine’s day is plagiarized
a co-optation of the ironic element of a 7 point plan
for annual love generation
left on the floor in a daydream
Katie had on the train
they must not know
what we know
but they will soon find out
if it is not love
it cannot last
Katie is on the way.
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