I used chemicals to straighten

my big ass curly hair

for most of my adult life

Formaldehyde seeping into my skull

changing the fabric of my follicles

embalming my mind

Just to look “right”

I match people’s energy

I don’t set the tone

Dare it be wrong.

Like me, like me!

What a fucking bore.

All the people around me

have big personalities

That’s what I like

What’s at my core

But I fit mine in the container

where I’m poured

Once the head of a company

called a meeting

Said he needed me to soften someone’s

“rough edges”

A man’s.

Fuck the hell off.

You’re not paying me nearly enough

to be a tool

To soften someone’s spirit

Bury my own

At what cost?

Mr. President,

that’s the last straw.

My soul can’t take it

Thanks for the mirror.

This time

I’ll stare long enough to crack

If I had a daughter

and she told me this was part of her role

I would say

that’s not why you’re here

Blow it all up

I just might.

Don’t worry,

not in the way of “call security”

(I’m no man)

I’ll go quietly, nicely

Blow up

my own life

Inside job.

 

It’s time to level this

People pleasing

Saccharine

Bullshit

If beauty is our noble goal

Women are so much more beautiful

Honest, venom spewing from their lips

 

As are you.

As am I.

In a world where poison gets noticed.