The Things You Learn from Family by Christtie Jay

i
Music: How uncle sings quietly
every night
in my room.

ii
Hate: The look in aunt’s eyes directed at me.
‘Wicked child,
You do not seduce your elders’ she say.
iii
Loyalty: I am the enemy.
He is the victim.
You do not look like this and expect foreign fingers,
Family,
to not pry you open.

iv
Rope: I can’t tie my shoe laces,
but I am learning to knot lines
around my neck.

v
Cut: A blade is stuck in my throat
any attempt to cry for help
will send it farther down.

vi
God: How do you anger someone
into proving his existence?
How long will I pretend I don’t believe you exist?