Garnered

I remembered the day I gathered. It
was a sunned day
in an unconditioned room.
I sat up with an absorption—the heat walked in
with my soul, so I went for a walk.

black head wrap, black tights, black shoes—
& I started. I saw how the people reacted: a rattle,
a stare, & a whisper. I saw
that something had been stolen
& everyone was to blame.

& Even the disgust was quiet.

I walked & thought &
thought & about you in a life
that I had been missing out on. I sulked
& calculated my days. I looked in a deer’s eye
& felt someone holding me.
I elevated through a forest.
I grew brain. I listened
to water. & I thought about you
in a life that I had been missing.

I remember the day I gathered, for

it stole my peace