You subject my melanin to harsh bruisings
and turn around with eyes wide in confusion at its hurt state
You spew words that dig at the seams of my thoughts and wonder why
my body rocks back and forth
and back and forth
each time your lips part
You measure my worth as you please
expect me to twist and morph into whatever your imagination craves

But I am universes compressed into human form only so you can witness my existence
The energy that gave birth to life itself curled in on itself at my core
sheltered by my bones and flesh
Your love does not catalyze my photosynthesis, for love is a language I utter to the mirror
and grows that which is within all on its own

You call me intimidating because I refuse to play house with your insecurities at fear of emasculation;
What you meant to say was that my very existence entices you so much that the possibility of there being more of my magic shoves fear of the unknown down your throat until it settles along the linings of what they have mistook me for.
You objectify and dehumanize me because the wholeness of my being blinds you such that you can’t tell your conscience from your ego.
You claim that I hate you, when my life’s work has been birthing poems to disguise the bitterness you hold against me,
you claim that I hate you, because I have made better sense of myself
and you misunderstand my standing
and your pride won’t let you ask so you wallow in ignorance

I busk in the light of a newfound love of self and you mock me because your toes are still stuck in the tar
that is everything you “should have”
But didn’t.