“Homies” by Ann-Marie Manker

Respect,

digs deep into her bony arms

curling like tendrils

of smoke

from her singed fingers.

Pride,

lies shattered at her broken feet

flitting away like shadows

when darkness

comes her way.

Courage,

remains invisible

like the bruises

blue-black

hiding under her sleeves.

Love,

plays hide-and-seek

leaving her

almost always

to get hurt in the darkest corners.

Roots of her hair

ache

with every thought

of harbouring such

qualities.

Her shoulder

cracks

every time she

moves

to learn something new.

Throbbing limbs, cut lip,

face eternally powdered,

all these remind her

of the time she stood strong

and was pushed

Down,

tasting dirt for the

first time,

and then,

forever.

—

Submitted to ArtParasites by Tarini Sudhakar

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