The Early Nineties
a cracked yolk split between her thighs. she rushed to clean up
her shame. yellow stained her hands;
yellow stained her child, who was born in a world designed to hate.
she pushed the drapes to the side–sunlight filtering through the cracks. dawn announced itself with flamboyance–hints of cinnabar and smoky quartz–
and she could do nothing but weep.
it should have been trumpets heralding this joyous day
instead of ravens gathering by the windowpane.
a duty of two has fallen to one.
a badge of honor tainted by grime and neglect–
we welcome a baby girl, born out of wedlock and regret.
Mecca-Amirah Jackson 