Knots

I have read it over and over, your story and ours.

It has huge holes in it, and where it starts up, I have these knots.

These knots I do not smooth, my brown curly, frizzy hair—I do not smooth them.

They linger on in each other’s interrupted breath, kissing,

Each knot we tear apart and create anew,

Each knot we never acknowledge.

I love these knots, these have-me-nots,

Forget-me-nots.

I tied up our knots, you loosened them

When you saw how far away we were—you were fine with loose ties.

I didn’t realize by tieing so many knots in front of me—-that I

Was jumbled up

And lost in a bigger knot that I ever saw coming

And I couldn’t remember how it got there, but I always felt it.

Knots in my hair just jabs in a deep cutting way—-you aren’t taking care of yourself, are you?

Knots in your mouth

That’s harder to find.

Knots in your heart, sista.

That’s plenty hard to read.

Read it.

Read and weep.

I ain’t got time to untangle this mess right

Now.