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after a talk by doreen garner
warrior-
rip through, tear apart, fashion pussies
out of glass, vaseline, and chicken wire.
make them see how it’s been - she was
cut up.
left, exposed, for the taking.
craft poems with your gaze, silence
all of them with spotlight
on your tongue.
you are power.
then why do they stay quiet when you have finished?
luke warm applause
and when the boy in starched white shirt with hairy chest and tattooed wrists
comes bumbling onto stage, fumbling over words that don’t rhyme-
i hear them smile
when he says
"i've seen all 4 species of carnivorous plants
with my 4 year old son."
now they can't contain their excitement
but you are a queen
not a jester
i’ll laugh at your jokes-
but i take you seriously
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