we were caught
in
a mosaic
of european and indian
artworks, arranged marriages, racism and bloodshed
who
in themselves
have destroyed
and have been destroyed
by hands that colonize/d
meandering, serpentine,
through an interchange of musty secrets
ground into the intersections of grout between the tiles
on the floor
that you can listen to
if you surrender yourself to it
if you press your ear and face upon it
and let it place you
in a long line
of beautiful people
of beautiful women
who have stood and grown strong
walking with proud feet with babies on their backs
carrying me here
to tell you this
if
you
are
still
listening.
i exist here.
my words will fall upon your ears
like an echo
that grows
stronger
exponentially
as you try
to
move
away
from
ME
--