LANGSTON HUGHES TRIBUTE ISSUE Fannie H. Gray   THE TRICK I've tasted their bitter words salty and age old stinging my mouth, my tongue, my soul And I've heard the thousand voices whispering in languages spoken for hundreds of years not even velvet could cloak the vile sentiment I've felt their eyes upon me felt the prickle of their gaze underneath my thin skin All of this I have known and with these things, with these threads of discord I have woven my own tapestry taken their hatred and indifference and clothed myself in an armor walking tall past their stares   Fannie Gray was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in Classics. She is married with two small children and lives in South Arlington. In her limited free time, she writes poetry, blogs (www.startthestory.blogspot.com) and tries to emulate her grandmother's creole cooking style.   Published in Volume 12, Number 1, Winter 2011.   To read more by this author: Fannie H. Gray: Evolving City Issue