“will you love me baby when the sun goes down,” – Sonia Sanchez
I.
i am littered beads,
haven’t you noticed? all the little
parts of me that rattle? all the little
parts so carefully placed, unstable
until ironed flat? i can bear it,
for I do promise,
if you give me just one more soft
straw of hair, one more sweaty
hug, one more kiss on the forehead,
one more cheek-to-cheek
II.
lay one
single finger, &
i’ll scream until negative
space holds itself in wait–
you’ll find messing with
me was a mistake, can’t
you see that i am
tired of being an estuary,
begging you let me go/let go
of me. teach me
what can be found in fetal moments
i am not asking for
much,
just a kindness
I have not
known for years.
Just a
kindness
I have not known for years.