Cripple-Punk Poet

Poem crafted at a workshop with Sara Beth Brooks

My wheels aren’t attached to my legs.

If they were, it might be easier

if you could see them

as part of me.

I am not afraid to be crippled 

in public. I am afraid

to face the repercussions.

There was a man

in college, 

who thought that wheelchair

equated paralysis. 

And thought that my legs

moving, meant I was

faking. 

I am not afraid to be mad 

in public. I am afraid

to face the repercussions.

There was a woman

on the sidewalk,

who thought she was at church.

Praying to a God that doesn’t listen.

And my cousin, told me not to look

at her. Lest I catch her attention.

I am not afraid to be multiple 

in public. I am afraid

to face the repercussions.

There was a person

that I loved,

who thought that multiplicity 

was the devil talking. 

And my lover told me

I could never

be loved if I was so

sick all the time.

I am not afraid to be

in public. I am afraid

to face the repercussions.