Submissions by abigailwoods (Abigail C. Woods)

1. Why do you kick me down?
Demand I do not embrace my African heritage,
and in the same breath put me on a pedestal for having slightly lighter skin?
As if the closer I am to white... the more beautiful I become;
as if immense amounts of melanin,
skin glimmering like gold beneath the sunlight is a bad thing.

2. Dear white people,
your ignorance is dangerous.
Why do you take your, “freedom of expression,” so far?
How can you still deny racism
as you sit confidently, arguing with a stranger on Facebook that
#alllivesmatter...

Four final words:
“You are not enough”

I am swallowing razor blades-
cutting out my own tongue;
destroying the evidence

Try to feel regret

One more exasperated sigh
One last trip to the ER

I am mopping up the puddles of
My own blood
Erase me

Try to feel regret

One last fake cry
One last lie hidden behind a devious smile
One last desperate ‘I love you’
attempting to conceal an abundance of
black and blue adorning virgin flesh like
rare jewelry

Stained skin;...