OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND
by Saffron Ezekiel Sofiane
I cut your tongue and refuse to listen,
Blood-covered white tulips remind me of your lies.
This vessel you call home is still my favorite nightmare.
Coiled hair and gentle smiles light blazing candles in my mind.
But I see past the charming smirk and denounce your true intentions.
Cigarettes lit on Moroccan balconies will have any woman you want on her knees.
I encourage you to seek the validation you require,
Though fair warning I refuse to allow you to step on me to get any higher.
About the author
Saffron Ezekiel Sofiane is a first-generation, Latinx, nonbinary, queer, raging feminist who uses their writing abilities to explore different aspects of social injustices, body imagery, and identity. They aspire to be a means of exploration of uncharted territories for people who read and support their work. Although they know that it is nearly impossible for their work to change the world, they hope that it will at least change the worlds inside their readers for the better. You can read more of their work on their Instagram @saffronwrites.