hide and seek blues

Kahina

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PERHAPS YOU COULD BE FOUND: in the agglomeration of syllables in between the reprimand about etiquette / the rising octave of your parents’ voice / the compliments that never seem to fit like a misplacement / the entanglement of meanings where love means something that you should bargain for / violence means amends / and forgiveness is when you tear yourself apart as an atonement.

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OR TRY: the bedroom where you swallow muffled cries and inhale crooked prayers / the attic where you hang your childhood faith and made up hymns / the bathroom where you fold your body / head tucked to your knees / limbs clasping tight so that you cannot come apart at the seams / because eldest daughter should not fall apart and tatter / and being found sometimes bears the weight of a persecution.