100m –
reciting my name / accent non-refundable / feels like imported
goods illegal / i grip / clumsy / damn near nauseous
from collateral / a glass boomerang / trembling / the heat
shuffling / in rich gloom / before the caveat collects / exchange
200m –
usually the anonymous / annotates my chin / with their razor
sharp cinch / my jawline / a dirty paradox / reigning adopted
from the sky / the clouds coy / before tapered tongues
twist thorough / revealing only / this brown bittersweet / i brave
300m –
inclusion isn’t retribution / the sweat subsides / softly / no need to thank
a tyro who loves / lukewarm first / puzzling after / the palm’s swift
embrace / maybe the technique / hypnotizes the hell / out of comfort
to walk / into the chaos / like spiders & black boys
400m –
last night / a native hummed / a negro spiritual / eavesdropping
on my nihilistic / coded prayer / i insist / or vent
as those on air / veil the gist / of prejudice / shameless
so dignified / as if / this is an aviary & i am still / here