atlanta country boy

who loved his momma, cutting (hair), sweets, rick ross & tupac, strip clubs, red bottoms, don julio, women, lobster and a fist full of money

michael anthony harris was a slow talking 

soft hearted

son, dad, barber, nephew, friend, husband

he was my big brother 

joy embodied

he didn’t give a damn

he had a deep slow laugh that would flare his nostrils wide

and a left eye that would veer to the side whenever he sunk into thought

last time i saw him, he laughed 

reminded me of our childhood Sunday mornings 

when ma would leave out

dressed for sunday school in sheer white pantyhose 

smelling soft, she’d kiss our cheeks

letting us know she’d be back to get me dressed 

and together we would attend sunday service

michael was to make sure me and him had breakfast

once ma was gone

we’d have bowls of cereal and then michael would lay our clothes out

he’d ask

“what you wearing dump?”

dump was the nickname he’d given me. ‘cause to him i looked like a dumpling as a baby.

fingers in mouth i’d point and he’d lay a frilly dress across my bed along with socks and shoes

vaseline between palms

he’d smooth my hair into two lopsided pigtails

and help me into a stiff floral dress

i’d sit on the edge of the couch

and buckle my shoes and rub lotion on my legs and arms

while he hummed into the bathroom mirror

buttoning a starched shirt and brushing his hair

ready, i’d slide my hand into his

and we’d walk down the hill on harper st. 

laughing and singing 

catching ma by surprise just as Sunday School was ending

that was august 2020

two months later on november 28, 2020 my brother and nephew became ancestors, a car accident

 

“that’s just the way it is, things will never be the same.”

“but you ain’t dump no more.” he said as a grin smeared across his face 

his left eye returning to center.

“naw you a grown woman.” 

silence settled between us as both our eyes connected. seeing each other

 

seeing me, he said, " i love you sis."

seeing him, i love you michael

inhale

you know i'm momma's favorite tho right? he said

and we broke out in a laughter that echoed those Sunday mornings

two siblings giddy with playful bickering and boundless love