Let Me Take a Moment to Be an Emotional Black Woman

Let me take a moment to be an emotional Black woman.
Let me close my eyes for only a moment
and blink.
Let me breathe
To stop myself from cursing

Like a witch.

Let me take a moment to be an emotional young woman.
Let me close my eyes for only a moment
and feel my rage.
Let me breathe a breath so deep I must hold my eyes shut
To refrain from screeching

Like a banshee.

Let me take a moment to be emotional.
Let me close my eyes for only a moment
And swing my fists.
Let me breathe
To catch my breath while I keep swinging.

by. Jasmine Barlow (February 1, 2022)