yes, i'm afraid
i am so serious abt this
my eyeballs vibrate w/h each heartbeat
when i go to you, you do not know all
the history i carry in my open hands
to kiss you i must drop my shield
to embrace you i must let myself go
will you blow your nose on my smile
and toss it aside like a soiled tissue?
i am so serious abt this
i am embarrassed
please don't laugh
at me
—kalamu ya salaam