Infant Moments

Dawnielle Ferguson

COMMENTARY

The ability to collaborate with kindred spirits is a blessing. We are have unique talents that can intersect with one another if we take the opportunity to be innovative.

I am honored to have crossed paths with artist Dawnielle Ferguson in Greenville, South Carolina. Her art is exquisite and celebrates Black joy in all of its glory. Her most recent piece, “From Day One” was inspired by a poem, “Infant Moments” dedicated to my daughter. The father daughter bond makes my heart leap with joy.

I hope the poem and artwork inspire creativity and joy this season.

Her petite innocence rest comfortably on my euphoric chest
Her radiant eyes activate my facial muscles that never atrophy.
Her hands of curiosity pluck sweet melodies embedded in my soul.


Her squishy cheeks invite effusive kisses from her two favorite admirers
Her tiny frame acts as a catalyst that stimulates receptors of rejuvenation for my soul.
Her priceless smile tickles and nourishes my heart that has the potential to be cyanotic during stressful days


Her pulse intertwines with mine to set the rhythm that is only recognizable by two kindred spirits
Her salivating gut is in harmony with foods that encourage self -discovery.
Her capacity to inhale molecules of love grows infinitely with each breath.

Dr Clark is an outpatient psychiatrist at Prisma Health-Upstate and clinical associate professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville. He served on the American Psychiatric Association’s Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry, and he currently serves as the Diversity and Inclusion section editor and advisory board member for Psychiatric Times^TM.