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Jul 25
poetry challenge: Writing 2022
yejunee

Beneath My Fingernails

My fingernails are dark from what is beneath,
their edges dripping like claws, like
slaughter fresh from the battlefield, like
the kind of oil spill that stains the sea. 
My nails are dark, and black, from 
ink and my skin is paper so let me 
overwrite myself like history overwrites 
my people but give me a quill, 
sharpen my teeth into pen nibs, 
my bones I will burn until black and 
from the ash, mix an ink so dark 
and so permanent, 
just let them try 
to make me invisible 
again.  
  • yejunee's blog
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Posted: 07.25.22
About the Author: yejunee
Yejun Park
MSG / CONTACT
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Discussion

Comments

  1. aesythe
    Jul 25, 2022

    This has teeth, alright. There is no wishy-washy melancholy in your words, only an intense, gnashing ire -- and great determination. I may not know what your struggle is, but you've stirred up a bitter sense of injustice for me.

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YWP is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists. We're based in Burlington, VT, and we welcome young creators from anywhere!
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