All you are is a black robe
only shining when the sun hits
no more recognizable
then the violet veins on your hand
or the sores on your feet
you have dust on your lips
but water rings in your eyes
we both have seen a starless night
but I have spelled my name in the stars
you have owned a sky
seen through a cardboard box
hallowed out by my sweaty palms
you are a person
that ink has forgotten
cloaked by a man
with a crooked nose
and long fingernails stained orange
he has knowledge of the law
and won’t hold back
he steals the apple from Adam
shreds the works of Chaucer from Eve
he paints on red mud
even with a polyester veil to disguise your face
I sow it
cheap thread
rusty needle
he signs my pay checks
Kelsey Bradfield is currently a student of St. Michael Catholic High school in Niagara Falls, Canada. She is passionate about social justice issues and one day hopes to publish a novel and book of poetry on the subject.