Quiescence

A Poem by Gessy Alvarez

I birthed no humans
I faked my virtue

I feared the world
I kissed forked tongues

I killed honey bees
I hid cigarette burns

I held back screams
I cried for nothing

I craved the respect
I licked the grass


Audio is available here.

About the photo: From the exhibit “Guillermo Del Toro: Crafting Pinocchio” at the Museum of Modern Art. March 2022. Photo by Gessy Alvarez.