Horribly

Insensitive

Joke about “ghetto names.”

Kinda

Lame.

Uncertain, I sowed seeds,

babied them under grow lights.

I created life!

I put the weight down.

I can’t carry hate or ill will

if I wanna heal.

You will transform from gold

into token;

in other words, reverse alchemy.

I don’t know

what a shamble is—

just that my life was in ‘em.

My eyes began to water.

There’s something about

another Black woman’s tears

I’m tired of writing sad poems,

tired of the reminder

that my existence is political.

Focus on femininity.

Be so gentle

that when you say no, it’s inaudible.

What I wouldn’t give to see

those boots with the fur.

Whenever I hear Flo-Rida,

I think of her.