ismi
by Suheir Hammad
from Born Palestinian, Born Black
please
learn to pronounce
the name of my spirit
the spirit of my name
correctly
and don’t complain
it’s too throaty
too deep
too guttural
begin it in your gut
let it tickle the back of your throat
warm under tongue
let it perfume your breath
smooth your lips
and release it
round my hips
clearly
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Mmmmm