#napowrimo Day 22 - “I Am Not a Contortionist”

Poetry

Apr 22

#napowrimo Day 22

Day 22 - I AM NOT A CONTORTIONIST

Happy Friday, y’all. On Day 22 of National Poetry Month, the prompt is to write a poem that uses repetition. Here’s my poem:

Day 22 - I AM NOT A CONTORTIONIST

By Farah Lawal Harris

I am not a contortionist.

I am not meant to bend

in pretzel shapes,

stretch and rotate

at your command.

I am not a contortionist.

Epigenetics have caused my back to be

straight, hard

cuz I can’t afford to break.

I am not a contortionist.

You will not hire me into your circus in

blackface.

You will not shame this black face or soul

because I am not a contortionist.

I am not meant to be bought or sold.

to perform at your will

and I will die on that hill.

I am not a contortionist.

Well-dressed poet, theatre artist, and breast cancer survivor.

#napowrimo Day 23 - “Narcissist”