On friendship and love and art. I met @ainsleyburrows in 2004 in a city neither of us lived in. He was unashamed, Black, beautiful and read poems that I wanted to hear again and again. He was the only poet I knew who worked in Europe part of the year. He was so comfortable in his skin he made me like mine better. There are a handful of poets that are as brilliant, kind and charming off stage as they are on. All these years later and he remains my dear friend, a human I deeply admire and respect. A true friend and forever love. Ainsley is one of few humans alive who could call/text and whatever he needs, the answer is YES. 100% of the time, yes. Our friendship is easy. It always has been. I’m grateful for that. Ainsley’s partner @tastemynoel is wonderful. She loves him real, with dignity and fullness. Her love has only given him more room, more courage, more art, more support to be magnificent. Damn, I love them. These photos were taken in NYC at Mr. Chow. We were celebrating the @basquiatkingpleasure opening. Yeah it was a dream. It always is.