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This month Becky and Jaden reflect on the harsh beauty in Beloved, what it can tell us about motherhood, and the insights it gives into slavery and its historical context. Also featuring Cara Thompson reading her poem Rapunzel:

This head of mine is a hot topic.

Like a matchstick you strike the wick of my scalp

and flinch as I am engulfed in flames.

Unashamed, you rinse the soot off your fingers while I stand here and burn.

I used to think that I could dress this pain in prettiness.

That if I laced these wounds in limericks,

you’d look past the length of your outstretched fingers and lock eyes

with my wilting soul.

I know better now.

Know that this is not ignorance nor flattery,

I call your “curiosity” and raise you battery,

an assault on my buttercup being.

I, the flowerpot girl, twirling my two strand twists

am unraveled and unearthed by the flick of your wrists,

the width of your wide-open mouth poised to devour my pride

Venus fly trap,

when will you unhand me?

I know Rapunzel had hair like mine.

The sheer audacity required to climb a woman’s curls and call it a compliment

is far too close to home.

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