Coal Quotes

“Love is a word, another kind of open.
As the diamond comes
into a knot of flame
I am Black
because I come from the earth's inside
take my word for jewel
in the open light.”
― Audre Lorde, Coal

“They convinced me" meaning
they had dragged her 4'10" Black Woman's frame
over the hot coals
of four centuries of white male approval
until she let go
the first real power she ever had
and lined her own womb with cement
to make a graveyard for our children.”
― Audre Lorde, Coal

“One shard of brilliant summer pierced me
and remains.
By this only
unregenerate bone
I am not dead, but waiting.”
― Audre Lorde, Coal