They say “gentle” before “man”
as if softness must be stapled
to power to make it palatable.
As if the fist, once gloved, is no longer a fist.
They say “strong” before “woman”
as if endurance must be embroidered
onto flesh to make it forgivable.
As if the cleft, once crowned, is no longer a cleft.
Adjectives are corsets-
the ligature of language,
cinching identity until it fits,
the silhouette of acceptability.
A strangulation ritual
masquerading as grammar.
Let the noun speak- naked.
Categories:
cinching, metaphor,
Form: Free verse
My head hurts with a pain that begs my body to shut down,
I am more than wanting to stop,
yet knowing that stopping will get me nowhere,
a cloud forms over my brow as a band tightens around my heart cinching my soul,
an ache so deep my ancestors know it's pain,
my head hurts,
if only I could sleep.
Categories:
cinching, black african american,
Form: Free verse