‘I believe in life’
Will you still look me in the eye if I say that?
The way you did, like I have potential. You’re not the aristocrat
Here.  You speak my language with a beautiful inflection
When I speak yours it twists your patience like a knife
How do you want me to say that a light is its shadow?
And I recognize that I’m lit so
I only know the tune of my presence
The songs that I sing
Do not mark my subservience
I feel so much love for you and your reminder that this infection
Was born with me, my back black wing