the boy says
"where is
your culture?"

like I have
just
forgotten
to put it
on this
morning

don't you
know?
if I was
the thing
you
want me
to be
I would
likely
not be here
to begin with

I was
taught
a history
removed from
my own
family tree
so that
I would not
grow thorns

before you
step
into the
bubble
they say
they screen you
for sharpness
but don't
mention
what kind

I am still
learning
how to feel
my power
in the
absence of it