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POETRY & POWER

Sweetheart. — By Bryonna Reed

2/6/2016

3 Comments

 
 "Ay sweetheart!"

The speed of light and sound ain't got nothing on the rhythm of my beating heart right now.

Trust me.

My anxiety could outrun Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt, then teach The Flash a thing or two about running a mile in these shoes because this sugar honey ice tea right here is not easy.
You try dodging bullets on the daily ride home and see how you like it.
Bullets like unwanted tongue lashing from a unknown figure in a black jacket who looks like he could be my neighbor's dad.

Am I overreacting? 
Nah.

I mean sure, maybe he's just trying to get to know me--in ways only my doctor and the woman who changed my diapers knew how.
But from where I'm standing his words burn like alcohol on a paper cut and I left all my band aids at home.

What's my problem?

I mean, maybe it's the constant cultural exploitation of my body as a market for music, clothing, and cosmetic sales while I sit back and wonder when MY beauty will be good enough to go from black market to center stage.

I mean it gotta be somethin' like that right?

Nevamind the fact that he's most likely, with 86% confidence, undressing me as I stand outside for 15 minutes waiting on a 22 west bound bus that is most likely, with 95% confidence, about 5 blocks away, but I'll just keep my eyes down. 

He can't bother what he can't see right? Oh wait, avoiding eye contact doesn't make me invisible? Shoot.

Did I mention the minimum 3 homeboys with him (just in case his verbal bullet wounds to my ego, identity, and self-esteem aren't enough)?

Man, I'm just trying to avoid being that 5'5, 140 lbs somebody's daughter on Fox 45 after prime time because I know that in a house somewhere between Northern Parkway and Charles Village I'll be charged with "asking for it".

Oh yeah, Ruby Woo by MAC definitely should come with the warning label:
"In case of any public appearance, like anywhere, ever, this lipstick becomes synonymous with yes to all sexual, romantic, or just plain arrogant advances."

Note to self: I was born with this skin, this hair, this life, so somewhere I'll always be asking for it.

BRYONNA REED
3 Comments
Dora Malech
2/7/2016 01:43:13 pm

Love this, Bry!!

Reply
Yasmine Kaminsky
2/15/2016 10:16:58 pm

I really appreciated this poem. You do a great job describing an experience that no person should have to go through—and yet which I (and I do not think I exaggerate when I say all of my friends who are women also) can relate to.

I think it’s cool that you choose to play with typography and color in this poem: the first line (“Ay sweetheart!”), which you describe as a bullet, are the largest words on the page. In addition to being intrusive in content, the sentence is visually in-your-face, and I find myself rereading the line even as I move on in the poem. The last few lines are also great: red comes with all sorts of sexual and danger connotations, and the self-awareness of the lines (in that the form and content match so well it feels meta) shifts the tone to one of confidence quickly and effortlessly in a way that is both surprising and satisfying.

The repetition of “asking for it” reminded me of a poem I love: Mark Doty’s “Tiara.” Check it out! You can read it here: http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/clarkeco/eng205summer2012/tiara_by_mark_doty.htm

Looking forward to reading more from you in the future! :)

Reply
Maysa Elsheikh
2/19/2016 10:18:22 am

Bryonna this brought me to tears especially because I know most girls can relate. You're not overreacting and you're not asking for it. It reminds me of the day my cousins and I (all girls) were trying to enjoy a night out for dinner in Egypt and I was so frustrated by the disrespect and slurs that rolled off of men's tongues, left and right, I wanted to scream! I remember having a long conversation with the girls when we got home about how to respond to this kind of behavior, whether they should be ignored or acknowledged and responded to (expressing disapproval). I don't have a real conclusion about what to do about this but this culture is unacceptable!

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