nail hard

By Samiya Bashir

Alongside Kara Walker’s “Wokey Wokey,” 2021

— as i was saying
     your
          (idea of) death ain’t mine(s)

 i(’ll) sprout any how

          (flourish!)

 your rot         flesh don’t make me     no
             (ting)                                         never mind

            —  s   t   r   e   t   c   h  —

    not too long

    (just) long enough (just)
          dark(ish)            grow(th)

 hard as illusion(s)
             and furthermore —

Notes:

This poem is part of the portfolio “Kara Walker: Back of Hand.” View all artwork from the portfolio, including the one this poem is alongside, or read the rest of the portfolio in the April 2024 issue.

Source: Poetry (April 2024)