Because so much depends upon the suppression of us, the erasure of us, the omission of us; because we are not made to scald, to starve, to stuff in closets; because we have our own lyrics to drop; because we inherit our mothers' immodest tales; …
Barbara Jane Reyes
Do you ever get sick of trying to be a miscast space filler in someone else's self-absorbed narrative, that has nothing to do with you. That whether you are in their room or not, it makes no difference to their outcome, though you add color and spice. Do you ever get so fed up, you just want to flip a table, or throw a chair, say this some bullshit, storm out of the room, and slam the door behind you. …
Praise the monstrous body, too enormous to describe. When the tongue is taken, how may the mouth even try. …
Bubblegum lip gloss kissed, Our lifelines, our mirrors, …
With razorblade eyes The Filipina is most sincere …
Squeeze your hand into a fist. Now, loosen, just a bit. …