 
 
Fortress
I don’t trust.
It has nothing to do with you.
It has nothing to do with our time
together on this earth.
My heart is a fortification
confining the transgressions of generations,
detaining their retributions from rampaging
across the sugar cane fields,
or scorching
the newly bloomed hibiscus flowers,
tearing
the wings off hummingbirds,
and leaving
nothing
but the tread of claws
scraped deep in the freshly-ashed soil.
Spirits of ancient offenses
sealed behind a wall slick with resentment
shielding others from contagion.
I’m not protecting myself from you
I’m protecting you from
Me.