Thylias Moss

Born: 27 February 1954

Thylias Moss was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on February 27, 1954. She received a BA from Oberlin College in 1981 and an MA from the University of New Hampshire in 1983. Moss is the author of several poetry collections, including Wannabe Hoochie Mama Gallery of Realities’ Red Dress Code: New & Selected Poems (Persea Books, 2016); Tokyo Butter: A Search for Forms of Deidre (Persea Books, 2006); Last Chance for the Tarzan Holler (Persea Books, 1998); and Hosiery Seams on a Bowlegged Woman (Cleveland State University Poetry Center, 1983). Moss lives and works in Michigan. (Source)

Poems by Thylias Moss

Raising a Humid Flag by Thylias Moss

August 7, 2025

"The best part is after midnight / when the crowd at its thickest raises / a humid flag and hotcombed hair reverts / to nappy origins. I go to Redbones / to put an end to denial." — Thylias Moss