"No"

Image description: A picture of a Black woman with an afro sitting on the top part of a park bench, she’s wearing blue jeans that are rolled up, a rusty orange shirt, white tennis shoes, and a black leather jacket. She has a large afro and is also wearing black thick sunglasses and bright lipstick, the sunlight bounces off her clothing in a warm glow, she’s carrying what appears to be a tablet in her hand. Superimposed on the image is a poem:“No.”

your professor

calls on you

this is the 6th

week

in a row

She has not learned your name

in that instant

you remember

you are a class of 12

in the hallway

during break

you pace the creaking floorboards

and talk to your girlfriend on the phone

you tell her

voice fast

breath faster

that rather than correct her mistake

She wanted to call you kylie  

because it was easier

you tell her of

the tone shift

the tension

the blue green grey eyes

on you

waiting

you both laugh

because it’s easier