Closet

To be read quickly, staccato (no pauses or rests) three lines simultaneously, downward, three distinct voices for emotional dissonance (the lines will not be coherent to the audience, and this is intentional). Then to be read by Voice 2 from left to right slowly across the page (taking rests when indicated) to tell the story clearly, with Voice 1 and 3 simultaneously only reading what’s in bold type. A longer pause should be taken between each stanza. Can also be read silently or out loud consecutively from left to right in one voice.

     To Toni Turner

Purple wings of a two-inch fly emerge

The harsh pink insect shape     hovering
the muscles to the right of your spine.

Violet diagonal marks below to the left,
as if shadows of insect flight,

Lupus:     the bug of your body.

I’m reminded—
Morrison’s Beloved:

The chokecherry tree on Sethe’s back,
“trunk, branches, and even leaves”—
a glaring detail of slavery.

I’m reminded—
perseverance on the skin,
soft lives branded,    involuntary.