A Poem on Purpose

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf [segment]

~Ntozke Shange

lady in blue

...

you were always inconsistent

doin somethin and then bein sorry 

beatin my heart to death

talkin bout you sorry

well 

i will not call

i'm not goin be nice

i will raise my voice

& scream & holler

& break things & race the engine

& tell all yr secrets bout yrself to yr face

& i will list in detail everyone of my wonderful lovers

& their ways 

i will play oliver lake

loud

& i won't be sorry for none of it

i loved you on pupose

i was open on purpose

i still crave vulnerability & close talk

& i'm not even sorry bout you bein sorry

you can carry all the guilt and grime ya wanna

just don't give it to me

i can't use another sorry

next time 

you should admit 

you're mean/ low-down/ triflin/ & no count straight out

steada bein sorry alla the time

enjoy bein yrself

.