a wonderful black woman told me recently
that a woman's silence can be potent

it reminded me of how
everyday actions by oppressed people
are so often defiance

to defy is to challenge, to do something considered impossible; to confront with assured power of resistance

and isn't that what i do?
i am not supposed to be so much,
everytime i smile
i am proving that i am happy

i am not supposed to be happy
i have so much to be sad about
but look at me
full of sun anyway
full of light anyway

i am supposed to be angry all the time
watch me love
watch me grieve

you do not want this multifaceted version of me
it is too much like you
you have found a similarity
does it scare you to know i am human?

good.

be scared.

because i will continue to defy every single thing
you think of me

i will be the unexpected.
no one will know how to handle me.
it will be beautiful.
it is beautiful