She say, "I know I can be a lot,"
apology in eyes
recoil in tone
a momentary lapse
shrinkin' back into the shell
she labored her whole damn life
to bust out of
overtime hours nobody knew she put in
tryna get secure
in her melanated skin
mournful sighs
guttural moans
creak and pop of her bones
from the brazen pushback she gave
when they proclaimed she was forbidden
in spaces not built for her kind:
unapproved commentary
all that black body
brain power and curves
generational wisdom and savvy
packed so overflow in her
it be spurttin' like a rebellious sprinkler system
spontaneous and full blast
catch folks off guard
drench they tumbleweed minds
distress 'em so bad
they grimace and flail
mash they foot on her spout
till she
SHUT THE HELL UP...
but her force too grand
flow unstoppable
so she always erupt
before long
She say it
like she forgot she the classified
spice in this world's flavor
recipe ain't even complete
till she pepper herself in it
her discretion
she control the measurement
they ain't about to deplete her
greedy spirit governin' they palates
clamorin' for heftier portions
but she understand
it only take a dash
to balance the brew
so she keep her setting
on shake
not pour
cuz everyone knows
including her
they up Shit Creek
if she empty
Say it
like ain't nobody told her
processes be stalled
till she put hands on 'em
business all kinda unfinished
inexplicable confusion abound
till she bewitch her way
through a scene
like her ancestors
were forced to do
for centuries
oh yeah
she got it honest
indigenous elixir in her blood
only reason they can keep calm
and carry on
She say, "I know I can be a lot"
like she still ain't sure
she deserve
to be out that shell
roamin' free
command in her step
like she belong
fixture they cain't live without
like she ain't that hallowed safe
holdin' the all the fortune
like she ain't the one card
in the deck
everybody know
they gotta be lucky enough
to pull
for the win
like she ain't that vital Jenga piece
they BET NOT move
from the foundation
or that bitch
gon' come crashin' down
like cain't nobody see her value
like she don't believe
her "a lot"
will NEVER be enough
They gon' always need
MORE
©2022 Charlene E. Green
