I
am Poe
a half-blood
son of no tribe
a two-spirit
boy who longs to become a man
a friend of
one person who completely understands
in foster
care Above and in detention
I had to
hide myself away
I had to be
hated if I wanted to eat
I had to
sleep with one eye open
my
conquerors they
made me wear
tights and
skirts and dresses
unwelcome
underthings and institutional overthings
and names
which always unnamed me
made violent
assaults upon
my body
my heart
my heritage
made me want
to die
sometimes I
think I did die
everything
that mattered died
but now
Below the city streets
healing
mattering
alive
I do not go
hungry
I am not
exposed
I will not
be denied a home inside my skin
down here in
these Tunnels
my people
trust and love me
my people
believe I exist
my people
help me to be me
and so I
help us to be we
together we
are beautiful
together we
find our way
together we
choose our true names
I am Poe
