Noble Enough. Poem by Kim Dang

Now these smiles, they remain inhibited
Behind my stretched eyelids, I'll mutter hedonistic
dreams for you. In my imaginary world, the crows
they'll continue to scream for you. So please,
continue to spare me your dignity.

Remind me of my misinterpretations and battle me
you batter me with truths while you shatter these
pieces of what's left of my
most honorable confessions, pinned up on all
my walls, they overcrowd what's already
opaque, flickering neon signs of our 'to don't's list

You'll still turn around to taste my sample
your arms, you test my breast and you conclude
that's right, I'm Asian, I'm still the adolescent and
they're not yet ample.

Let's walk as if we have fresh stitches
on our soles. Our souls. Let's smile for the camera
Nevermind the trail of crimson droplets
we leave behind. You've seen me cry
out my demarcations, but we've crossed each line
with nonchalant and by heavens it's all such a mess

I'm sorry, I can't look at you without being reminded
of the red blood stains Tide couldn't put behind us
my searing tears, they're footprints biographing this salty story
And I'll scoff in case you can't sense the thick sarcasm, see,
at least you were noble enough to decrease when you've never loved me.