aunt jemima

white folks say i remind them

of home i who have been homeless

all my life except for their

kitchen cabinets

i who have made the best

of everything

pancakes batter for chicken

my life

the shelf on which i sit

between the flour and cornmeal

is thick with dreams

oh how i long for

my own syrup

rich as blood

my true nephews my nieces

my kitchen my family

my home