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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

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©2022 Charlene E. Green