Written and Illustrated by Nona Kayla
I'm not mainstream
Sometimes all the politicizing
Just makes me want to scream
They're trying to control our bodies
Trying to control our minds
With social media and TV shows
And laws that are just unkind
I'm on the edge of screaming
On the edge of rage
Need a little nonviolent communication
Some way to turn the page
I'm on the edge of the circle
Reaching out my hands
Connecting with other women
All across the lands
Connecting with the people of color
Connecting with the men's too
Connecting with all the fabulous queers
Connecting with the Jews.
They can say we're all radicals
They can say we're all unhinged
But we're weaving a stronger tapestry
And they're only see the fringe
She wore her depression like a cloak of invisibility. Desperate for attention yet hidden away. Unable to release the clasp at her throat. Let go of the heavy wet wool dragging her down.
She could take it off but she was afraid of being naked cold, vulnerable. Seen.
She would cry herself to sleep every night. The cat, her only comfort, licked away salty tears, purred reassurances, listened to all of her secrets.
When was it that someone would finally say,
"You're normal.
You're different.
And that's okay."
The periwinkles by the front
Of the trailer while on my retreat
They seem so brave, so vulnerable
Little heads nodding in the wind
So easily crushed.
Yet they survive last night's hail storm
The fallen branch
Somehow better than I
Maybe it's their
“Tendrils of belief”*
Keeping them anchored
How do I unfurl
Trust the sun will shine again
And turn my face towards hope
*Quote from Adrienne Rich