A Poem by jayy dodd

Author: Poetry Editor

January 5, 2016

This week, a poem by jayy dodd.

 

UNTITLED LAST LETTER TO WHITE BOYS #19

 

Us is a big word. I wanna chew
on it.  So  it’s easier to swallow.
But only if  jawbreakers can be
made marshmallows.

You  are  a  big  idea.  And  We
seem  too large  to  hold in one
hand. They watch the ways we
learn fresh tongues and  hums
meaning Us.

Me   is   silent   and  concerned
about not being big enough for
the Us  you  want to create.  Or
being  too  big,  for  You.   New
words   become  locked  up   in
jaws  and  stutters. And seeing
you    makes    me    speechless.
Choking on the magnitude.

——

jayy dodd is homeboy writer and poetry editor from Los Angeles, now based in Boston. his work speaks to survivals of soft black boys. his chapbook [sugar in the tank] is forthcoming on Pizza Pi Press early next year.