Invested Poem by Melanie Emikohe

Offended is an understatement
I have been harassed, insulted
robbed of self-esteem
on several occasions when your passion
wears its savage version

Angina to the chest
when you taste the tangy of normal
rather than the first few days
of flirting, perky glassy eyes
advertising selling points?

Like a used car dealer
who would rather not disclose
the negative history
that brought the shimmering
just waxed body to his shop

Let me calculate the ways
If I do, I am more than deserving
of resentment
but certainly, you are entitled to it
as much as I am
and you're still here calling me babe

So I tolerate your grouch
again and again and again
as we collect our silver linings
shoved in a safety deposit box
to open, as reminders
that there is a little bit of good
invested all these years