I went to a writing conference shortly after Toni Morrison died. The conference was fine for the most part. Ideas were fleshed out. Writing was done. Some lovely scenery and people.

But then there was the obligatory panel discussion to lament the passing of a literary icon. All well and good.

Until I looked up at the panel and noticed something strange but, sadly, not surprising.

The poem I wrote in response was published by the good people at Bryant Literary Review .

It’s called “an open letter to the white feminists holding a literary panel on Toni Morrison.”

And you can read it here (pg 65).