I Am A Citizen In The Country Of Your Smile
I was looking for myself, confused
By the store-bought maps
None of which led directly to me
All the interstates had curious detours
Some straight through your heart
One or two were back roads
Small moments—no, not mini-malls
But one room country stores
Everything from chicken feed to calico cloth
Candy and pickled pig feet in big glass jars,
A catalogue for ordering from elsewhere
I lay listening to your breathing
My head between your breasts
My lips longing to suck your relaxed nipples
To erectness, that taste moving my tongue
My hands exploring everywhere
An amateur urban planner mapping layouts
For a futuristic city of light and love
You open your thighs and say you need beaches
On the borders and kisses in the nether regions
Plus, you tell me: “you must volunteer to share
All chores, soap and water have no gender
Brooms nor mops have genitals
And if you don't want to, I don't want you to
We can agree to disagree but fighting is forbidden
There may be war in the world
But there will be peace in this village
Think about who I am
Before you say what you want us to be”
I paused, I listened, I surrendered
Happy with the terms of agreement
I sincerely pledged allegiance
—kalamu ya salaam