Jump out of the shower
Grab an outfit
Face the mirror then start

No fighting
No strong opinions
No thoughts
No me

Silence
Keep quiet
Don’t wanna be another angry black girl

Soft voice
high giggle
No aggression
Say it again no aggression
I keep practicing

I’m almost ready
I do my hair
Grab a jacket
Give my blackness a kiss goodbye
And promise I’ll see it later

It begs me to take it with me
Just a small part
A fraction of me
Something to keep tucked in my back pocket
For emergency purposes

I’m empty and yet so full
Full of nothing and everything
But I keep going

I Leave myself and everything I know about me at the front door
And lock it
Trapping myself inside
I’m ready