Woman Gives Birth to Universes Within

Issue 1 The Descent...
Written By Desiree McCray

People often wonder:

How I smile like I’ve never been hurt

How I jump like the sky is no limitation

How I dance like cancer doesn’t run in my family 

How I poem like I am a poem

How my story, a 7-story building

How I body bodaciously 

How I love like I’ve never known loss

How I care like nursa-motha-doula

How I learn as if I’ve never been wrong 

How I sing like I’ve never known brokenness

How I hope like my hurting heart—still open

How I eat like I’ve never known hunger

How I preach like I’ve never felt defeated

How I work like I’ve never experienced failure

I inspire the uninspired 

who aspire to reach higher

I’ve desired to build 

a world untouched by empires

in dire need of enlightened fire

I don’t look like much

but my heart’s in the right place

And my hands got the magic touch 

My plate blessed best say my grace

Walking in faith, 

like my shoes are laced

seeking after God’s face

Desiree McCray

Desiree McCray (she/they), a Chicagoland native, is a womanist writer and spoken word poet delving into themes of race, gender, bodies, faith, and culture. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English-Creative Writing from the University of Missouri--Columbia (2018) and a Master's in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary (2021). McCray's published works include "Hope Among Other Foods: a concoction of fat girl poetry" (2020), "Send a Refreshing: Poetic Prayers of an Intercessor" (2023), and her forthcoming chapbook with Abode Press: "My Sisters Look Like God: A Womanist Manifesto of Poetry" (June 2024). Her contributions extend to various publications, including Femme Literati: Mixtape Anthology for Black Women Edition Three by Genre: Urban Arts and countless other devotionals, online platforms, and anthologies. Stay updated on her journey through her website and follow her on Instagram: @blaccwhoaman.

https://desforpres.wordpress.com/
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