Poetry by Kyd Kane

Cover Photo by Nick Collins on Unsplash

“a red root vegetable for _____”

I thought about you today

while holding a snow woman’s hand

that used to match the temperature

of my bruised root vegetable

wondered if you’ll ever be close enough

to tap your trail boot

to the beat of my healing heart

that drips a juice

that reminds me of your lips

cheeks blushed for you

and winter too

a season red that once was blue

upon the touch of slush

I must trust that i do indeed

have a crush on you 🤦🏾‍♀️

so uhhhh do you

want to build a snowman?

Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson is Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, Mi, a self-taught, multi-disciplined visual artist, arts educator and most importantly, beacon of peace and love; born and raised on Grand Rapids Southeast Side.

For Kyd, creativity has always been a source of joy, an origin for clarity and a means for survival. Through childhood trauma, adulthood pain and everything in between, each creation allows her to fill holes, to feel whole, to feel real and to connect with others. Kyd uses self expression to generate social dialogue about the good and bad of the human experience, by exploring themes such as; poverty, privilege, gentrification, resilience and identity through community conversation, poem, installation, video, and photography. 

Kyd’s work has taken her to stages, institutes, galleries and theatres including, Detroit Masonic Temple, the Michigan State Capitol building, Kalamazoo Institute of Art, Unity Center of Peace in Chapel Hill, NC, Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and SiTE:LAB in Grand Rapids, MI, among others. Her voice has been featured on NPR, WYCE Electric Poetry, TEDx, and on the intros, interludes and outros of various musical artists from all over the country.

You can find her intentionally connecting with community as the co-host of Creston Vibes: a themed open mic series, sparking conversation with the “Challenge Privilege” movement and engaging young people as a teaching artist with The Diatribe Inc. 

Kyd believes that her art has the power to generate vibrations that inspire, heal, challenge, affirm and provoke. She’s grateful for the opportunity to live a life filled with passion and purpose.

Facebook: kydkanepoetry

Instagram: @kydsaidit

Twitter: kydkanepoetry