Poems by NTKnight

She was the prophecy for the stubborn
Her words spoke her own hard headed truth
How many times learned/ that only struggle
Creates triumph and inner power
Is the proof.

It stung and crazed.
Pages & pillows the water cascaded
Immaculately.


So she rushed to be handy. Painting,  preening and polish
To her home. She was grown
… and with child.

Her globe shifted to kicks and coo’s 
Bibs and baby shoes… 
The birthing was a rude intro to 
Unescapable responsible growth 
Medication made here start a twilight and 
Her baby a star. ​

She began to read Arabic and hieroglyphics again. 
Made peace with gods & earths. 
Reclaimed her focus/ her worth. 
And then fell ill…
Sickness took her breath ​
​

And now she cared less
She focused. 

On how they thought it was sweet
She, pressed and pulled for the things they couldn’t cope wanting for her brink. 
Their pain would no longer squelch her glow 
Her empathy not stunting her growth 
Trust she cares, from a distance . 

For to close her heat would burn deep. 
Breath 
Her peace and purgatory
It had always been there. ​

Photo by ntknight

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in church & court
it is my bible study
religiously/ every Sunday i seek
bow deep on bended knee
stretching arms out to see
how blessed i can be


chasing zen in every moment
pausing______ only to play again
i want to win / but more
i crave the space where
power/ precision/ repetition exist
holding in the balance challenge
and triumph. i crave the
next hit


the sound of the sweet spot
over and over again

the work that makes sweat drip 
and loosens hips 

i wear white like an Osun priestess
the court is my Queendom 
my opponent my advisor testing 
things learned. 
i pray my status is more earned than inherited 

so when the end inevitability comes 
i am prepared. ​​

Photo by ntknight

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Just when I surrender/ you smile
tell me I have more to give
We have more work together
However painful /however true

Push up hill/Scale up
Take in the view… breathe in
The fresh air covered with green canopy
I sent him. You say.
his eyes gaze at my profile
As my view blurs his frame
I seek the comfort of the banyan tree
The presence of wise women sent here before me
Frightened by the feeling.
It is so easy.  his job is to watch me.  But he no longer works.
It is a gentle & still observation
As I walk ahead, I tell silly stories to fill the air
Trying not to stumble as I wonder what he see’s
he points out the beauty,
that I
Am at peace.

Photo by ntknight

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Reflection
You came to me for a reason
You came to heal the
Bits and pieces that dangle
Dangerously from my frame
Hindering health & wholeness
Your shape malleable
All fresh and anew
Always knowing what I could really
Do.
I could never be less than that
Because I was you.

Photo by ntknight

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Expectations

The sun Shone on my soul
Unblocking my heart
Unbeknownst to me…

I floated in my own femininity  
Silk lined n thick

Paused and attuned

My frame shivered the remnants of fear
Knelt gracefully and rendered them loose

I felt all.
The warm washing ashore
The sea salt, bitter in grit and sweet cleanse
It called to me by my own lips.

I lay stunned by its power and grace.
Rememory only for cravings of recall
As the enchantment drifted away
I wrestle with the truth
I yearn for a faster pace
Time presented as tomfoolery
Yet necessary for the ill prepared
I seek exception, for my expectations

The claim, as such, has me unhinged
Racing and stalling
Valves, arteries, veins, and vena cava​

How naked I am 
How stubborn I am 

As much as I lead, I follow 
I crave company & solitude 

The winds change
Rustle up the work that is more than overdue 
And just on time 

Working constantly to find peace 
In what is mine is mine.

Photo by ntknight

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N.T.Knight is a poet, educator and leader at one of the largest social enterprises in Illinois.  N.T.Knight has written poetry for over 20 years and has a passion for performance arts. She is the mother to a dynamic 4 year old who inspire her to live a life of purpose, process, and passion and in her free time plays tennis. Follow her on twitter.