My skin has not seen
the light of day in
years. Fabric covers
rich melanin, molds to the shape
of unearthed roots & dark patches,
black moss
the color of winter night skies
hidden from
view.
Growing up,
the world regarded the spindly little
stems that sprouted from my
limbs with upturned
noses & judgmental blues. To them, I was
a garden
once revered for her flowers, now shamed
for weeds she could not
control.
J.L. Seaton is a Chicago native with their sights set on the world. As a black writer who just so happens to be queer, their work explores identity and seeks to challenge societal conventions. You can follow them on Instagram @middreaming where they may post the occasional inspirational quote.
