Identity as characteristics
defined as the one and not the other
entitle the same to exploit the few
nobody understands the heuristics
transformation leaves unchanged the object
instances, way too many to bother
trouble shoot the problem, results askew
yesterday, a Black man called me [n-word]
ask me if I care, as if to project
simple reductions of value on words
compliments try to slap me in the face
hubris to imagine the other birds
articles to the gods of faith, disgrace
reminds me of my place, if I trigger
animosity, our past lives conflict
call it social background, assimilate
to American cultural standards
entirely fictional, to depict
regional differences, as otherwise
in Chicago, to speak without debate
solemnly to respond, to sing with bards
troubadours, wandering minstrels, compose
invent poems old as nine centuries
criticize appropriation, my choice
sentenced to otherness, to loveliness
defense mechanisms argue a voice
entitled and privileged, unkindliness
forbidden as taboos, distrust the rose
ingenious assholes in a foreign land
never to return to my homeland, take
each day, one step at a time, in the sand
desire found, my head deep, as we eat cake
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