Wednesday, October 12, 2016

To strange men in gas stations, grocery aisles and elevators

actually, it would 
hurt me to smile 

it would kill that little beast 
Integrity 

when grimaces are freely given
they have lost their application 
if I smile at you
I would be barring my teeth
inviting you to admire
my perfectly sharpened fangs
pricking tongue
pungent breath 

you
have done nothing deserving of warmth 
by declaring my face cold

Saturday, October 8, 2016

for women who are "difficult" to love

you are a horse running alone
and he tries to tame you
compares you to an impossible highway
to a burning house
says you are blinding him
that he could never leave you
forget you
want anything but you
you dizzy him, you are unbearable
every woman before or after you
is doused in your name
you fill his mouth
his teeth ache with memory of taste
his body just a long shadow seeking yours
but you are always too intense
frightening in the way you want him
unashamed and sacrificial
he tells you that no man can live up to the one who
lives in your head
and you tried to change didn't you?
closed your mouth more
tried to be softer
prettier
less volatile, less awake
but even when sleeping you could feel
him travelling away from you in his dreams
so what did you want to do love
split his head open?
you can't make homes out of human beings
someone should have already told you that
and if he wants to leave
then let him leave
you are terrifying
and strange and beautiful
something not everyone knows how to love.  --Warsan Shire