Doubt
by Lexi Kayser
Teacher says don’t write yourself so perfect so I write myself more jagged.
Write myself hunched spine and snaggletooth, braille skin and bleeding pupils.
Teacher says don’t write yourself so cynical so I write myself more even.
Write myself early-bird and willing worm—writhe in the rain and let him complement the ballet.
Teacher says don’t write yourself black coffee
(too pretentious).
Teacher says don’t write yourself cream splash/sugar cube
(too typical).
Don’t write like you’re special.
Don’t write like you’re not.
Teacher twists my words like a treble clef, shushes me when I sing them.
Teacher says all words come from God.
Teacher says the pen is in my own bootstraps.
But I’m barefoot.
I’m soleless.
I’m muscle rawed and withered,
naked cardboard voice box,
broken stereo screeching static at the moon.
I want to write that the moon is going to crash into earth one day.
Teacher says don’t write the moon so hellish.
Write it better write it best write it worthy and
I’m wordless, the only thing that’s still mine is the
doubt.
by Lexi Kayser
Teacher says don’t write yourself so perfect so I write myself more jagged.
Write myself hunched spine and snaggletooth, braille skin and bleeding pupils.
Teacher says don’t write yourself so cynical so I write myself more even.
Write myself early-bird and willing worm—writhe in the rain and let him complement the ballet.
Teacher says don’t write yourself black coffee
(too pretentious).
Teacher says don’t write yourself cream splash/sugar cube
(too typical).
Don’t write like you’re special.
Don’t write like you’re not.
Teacher twists my words like a treble clef, shushes me when I sing them.
Teacher says all words come from God.
Teacher says the pen is in my own bootstraps.
But I’m barefoot.
I’m soleless.
I’m muscle rawed and withered,
naked cardboard voice box,
broken stereo screeching static at the moon.
I want to write that the moon is going to crash into earth one day.
Teacher says don’t write the moon so hellish.
Write it better write it best write it worthy and
I’m wordless, the only thing that’s still mine is the
doubt.