“We are a kindred people, forged in the fire of white supremacy and struggle…” 
(Professor Gary Okihiro, Margins and Mainstreams)

it is a myth 
that our minority 
is modeled 
on others’ oppression 

She loved to hug,
always squeezing so
tight like she wanted you to
feel the love in your bones.

I went to put my head down today to close my eyes
but not go to sleep because I never willingly go to sleep
I’m just not good at it and I brand myself as someone that doesn’t nap

I loved you first
that crisp autumn day,
tripping over bricks
and watching the sun play

A year ago, I never knew
the comfort of a crappy
grey chair, crammed
against a stranger

Today, I am longing for the sun.

Dark grey clouds have lingered for
what feels like years, each minute
stretches into a month.

Gravel crackles underneath grey tires,
speed limit 25mph, it is always
crowded

i can hear your heart beating
through my poems,
breathing life into my
jumbled words

sunshine dances through the window,
tugging you to come out to play

little house
gentle song
little place
where we
belong

Scared lonely little yellow girl,
on the outskirts of everyone’s game,
out of place, out of sight, out of mind.

New York I am scared to love you.

Throat closed,
fists clenched,
feet teetering on
the edge of a ledge

The trees are dressed up in their best fall colors,
crisp wind cuts through the autumn air

leaves tumble
down from
half dead trees

buzzing
towards that
beaming
bright light –

growing up
I heard

“suck in
your stomach”

grey fog consumes
what little mind
is left

(1.) Fine, really.
(2.) Actually, it is a bit more complex.
(3.) Okay, you got me.
(4.) So fine was actually a cover-up