Once again, it’s April and it’s National Poetry Month. You know what time it is:

Have you Ever Tried to Hide?-Pat Parker

Have you ever tried to hide?

In a group

of women

hide

yourself

slide between the floorboards

slide yourself away child

away from this room

& your sister

before she notices

your Black self &

her white mind

slide your eyes

down

away from the other Blacks

afraid-a meeting of eyes

& pain would travel between you-

change like milk to buttermilk

a silent rage.

SISTER! your foot’s smaller,

but it’s still on my neck.