moonshine.

my black skin has turned the darkest shade of blue in the moonlight.

the blue-side of my melanin; i feel the weight of the world.

the soft pink in my palms that blister and crack—red and running into the soul of the earth.

what could you say to a young black girl that wants to break boundaries,

but within those bounds, feels safe?

the complicit nature of femininity—like green butterflies kissing down my back,

crawling under my skin unveiling that same blue-side melting to a violent purple.

like the cosmic hue of a pea-flower.

i’ve never been as graceful.

the summation of my life has led to revolting splotches of gray

on the memories i chose to forget.

haze-stricken eyes staring aimless into a cracked reflection.

and then she cries.

cries those sickenly sweet blueberry tears;

swallowing them whole.

blinking into the night, irises of onyx and cole.

the me i saw in the mirror is laid out and casted aside.

a forgotten iridescent shell twinkling and decaying.

i arise.