“taking out the garbage,” a poem by rachel atakpa

fruit flies suffocate
after i slip
flimsy white plastic
over my inability
to open: refrigerator
door, mouth, belly
knotted twice, slung
over my shoulder
shame is heavy
pangs and rottenness  

rachel atakpa is an artist, teacher, gardener, and researcher practicing on occupied kaw, wichita, and osage land.

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