SILENCERS AND TAP DANCING ON MUTE

Passive reactions

to poor behavior

breed stagnancy

we sit in filth,

refusing to wipe away

what reeks,

pretending it’s not there.

We change our clothes,

lace shoes that blend,

carry flashlights,

mace in our palms,

train our bodies

to fight back,

and wear the longer skirt.

We take off our durags,

straighten our tongues,

learn to speak

like they want us to.

Hide our skin,

fold ourselves,

tame our hair

into smaller versions

submissive shadows.

We run drills in school,

practice survival

instead of freedom,

twist ourselves

into costumes,

all to avoid

the one thing

that would

set us all free

The care of the world.