We promise to protect each other

After Willie Perdomo

which means we pinky swear it

which means we draw

our pinkies

like switchblades

from brassy knuckles

which means

i hold your hands

between the pocket space where we keep

the taser between the thumb & index the hammer between the index & middle

the cross between the middle & ring & the middle is my weapon of choice

which means

i talk a lot

but my face says

i can’t

fight

your face says we should run which means

i face you standing still pressing my switchblade into yours wishing the switchblades were switchblades

& not pinky promises we draw from brassy knuckles

want brass knuckles but don’t want proximity

want a gun but don't want that smoke

want incense but only handmade

want these hands

to be protection

enough

that’s what space in poems are for: to store arsenals

in this ars poetica keys between my fingers never felt comfortable like i would get sliced too

if it came down to it

i am walking across a blacktop

i could tar myself into

the sun is saying

i should get home

but home is on my hip

i am aware of you

& all the things that follow to follow & nothing more

which means

we promise to protect each other

we pinky swear it

————————————–

Lauren Dotson called us from Chicago, IL.

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