Chengdu Rocks

HAL/MALA poetry slam winner Obi with her trophy and hongbao.

by Obi

I kick the rocks along the pavement
thinking
there is no way I can belong here
Me.
Dark skin.
Large eyes.
A figure of one not belonging to a 28-year old woman.
They move slowly
the rocks
my mind rapidly moving
how did I get here?

Chengdu.

In search of self is my explanation
looking for separation from everything that I knew
yet the rocks only serve as my reminder that there is no escaping reality
that I am indeed a stranger in this land that we call China

Chengdu, China.

My hair stands tall
Kinky.
My lips stand big
With no apologies.

My words stand…

well

my words are released slowly as these rocks kick with steady motion
a steady mind now walking down Renmin Nan Lu

The rocks?

A reminder that there is no hiding from reality.

You

I

Must

Move