The Dependence of Soot
If men were paid,
instead of gold, in
soot
would my hair
be beautiful to you?
When brown dirt
becomes tainted with snow,
then, will I
be beautiful to you?
Ahh, but if only I didn't breathe
and speak in spices and low, guttural sounds,
and if I didn't hear around me the chinking of bangled wrists
now loose from their shackles, and if I weren't enveloped
in the arms of outcasts, I might actually
believe your lies.
One day, then, will I be beautiful
to you.
But kohl-rimmed eyes don't need your compliments,
as we do not need
you
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It is human nature to seek affirmation. Even if we say we don't need it, do we mean it?