I saw right on through his sorry ass

and smiled

I sensed the philosophies he was about to spew on

my body

I was here for his needs only

to tuck him into

his patriarchal facade

that he needed

so badly

to be true

so that he could reinforce what little power he’d been allowed

over me

The Nameless Bitch who was all the same

he chose denial’s sanctuary

and I had to remain an ally

even after knowing him

he resented my awareness

of his black man-ness

what better timing could I have had

to learn how to be a right woman

let him tell it

he was damned comfortable there in that sanctuary

but I wondered

if I tried real hard

turned the other cheek from my reflection like him and the white girls

would he find me one too?