Getting ready: A poem by me

Jump out of the shower

Grab an outfit

Face the mirror then start

No fighting

No strong opinions

No thoughts

No me

Silence

Keep quiet

Don’t wanna be another angry black girl

Soft voice

high giggle

No aggression

Say it again no aggression

I keep practicing

I’m almost ready

I do my hair

Grab a jacket

Give my blackness a kiss goodbye

And promise I’ll see it later

It begs me to take it with me

Just a small part

A fraction of me

Something to keep tucked in my back pocket

In case of emergencies

I'm ready

Full of nothing and everything

I keep going

I Leave my culture at the door

And lock it

Trapping myself inside

I’m ready