She sits beside me
In a laundry basket; smiling
Squared yellowing photo; fading
Two blonde girls
haole keikis
but I am too young
to know these words
or their sting
she will bear them
maybe that's why
she has hardened
maybe harassment
sharpens you like shards of lava rock
so that you can cut
in defense
lash out

but I am careful,
dear sister,
because
I've learned
that
proximity
to you
is dangerous