February

"Have you ever tried divinity?

She wanted to tell me the history of Southern sweets.

History.

Words retold so many times,

their meanings have been worn from them like the itch from a sweater,

A cardigan that couldn't keep me warm if it tried, but at least no longer makes me feel uncomfortable. Though it's ill-fitted to my body and their expectations, wearing it makes me seem so much more

acceptable.

Silly things inspire less fear.

And people often miss the forest for the trees,

and the fields for the flowers,

though you'd think getting so hung

in the details,

they might not miss the blood in the cotton,

or the strange fruit

-hanging-

from the trees.

She wants to tell me the history of Southern sweets,

I want to tell her that cotton will never be candy.

About the Author

George Akolade Coker is an actor and poet living in Los Angeles, California. George is wholeheartedly and unabashedly trying to save the world by convincing you it's a worthwhile endeavor.

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