NYU Black Renaissance Noire NYU Black Renaissance Noire V. 16.1 | Page 13

For missing parts and what we’re not supposed to do
for Aiko
11/18/14
go, she says.
hands me
her wire cutters
to protect
the world from
all its fixed
men, straight
women. i do
not under
stand her
look at the world ­—
up is
down and back
is concentric.
spelling my name
in the air
like sparklers
replaced her
fingernails for this
one night,
this terrified
moment. like
a heartbeat.
monster.
what if i can
not find

look with your wire
cutters, she

BLACK RENAISSANCE NOIRE

says. look what the world has done to you.

11

my way back home?
her fireworks
face, her see —
through me eyes.