trysta says she loves my nose and, like that,

i am healed.

​

hours spent bending back the bridge, triangulating nostrils,

pinching in a better shape fall like manna from the heavens—

​

my homegirl has returned each minute.

​

suddenly the words big and black are implied

without fault or blame or sin.

​​​

every scab crusts over, every blemish, resolved

​​​

and when lamarria braids up jordan’s hair,

i feel we are expanded.

​

​she locks each coil into place with the turn of  anger,

anointing with blue magic, light consumes every corner once hidden in—

​

my homegirl spins gold on a dormitory floor.

​

suddenly the vastness bends in our favor

we consume earth and sound and stars.

​

every piece of us whole, everyone else, in awe.

​

how sweet it is to know love in the reection of a smooth Black face—

​

of false eyelashes and dermal piercings and

the melody of a sing-songy laugh through pretty teeth.

​

my homegirls and i sprinkle love along the breeze

and laugh at how you hate us.

​

my homegirls and i offer forgiveness to those who ask

and to those who never will.

​

my homegirls and i inhabit our own joy

and have craved nothing from your world since.