Of Always Havin Been

Dark phrases of womanhood,

Utterances slipping off of lips that never could

          Understand me,

          Respect me,

          Even have sympathy for my struggle!

Heavy hips marching up hills.

Bags slanging down by my thighs.

Do you hear me m’am?

Do you hear me sir?

Several sepia shades of chocolate

Have infiltrated my pigment,

And spread like the Black Plag…