Africa Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

It wasn't the flowing blond weave,
Attached to your head like a hat.
Or those blue eye contacts.

It wasn't your three inch painted nails,
That scratched my hand...
As your long eyelashes flapped.
Reminding me of fly traps.

Not even your smile bothered me.
Exposing a mouth full of gold teeth

It was when you purred like a cat.
To announce your name was 'Africa'.
That offended me.
And for some reason I had to get up...
To look for the nearest exit to leave.

I knew right then we didn't have chemistry.
And there was no doubt in my mind...
A you and I together was never going to be.

And that might have been your real name.
I just didn't want to stay to hear how you got it.
Or why or when you began to accessorize your pride.