Most Monogamy

by Briana Francis

Girl, you stay a girl in woman’s body
stand lonely between text messages
gets on her knees after his long day  
her mouth is stuffed with melted wedlock rings

Girl, you name call
and point fingers at others to feel less human
and more of a person.
a skin full of deficiencies.
Girl, you smoke cigarettes to let your breath go

at the end of the motel bed
on the edge of porcelain
behind the wheel
at the bar
in the passenger’s seat
at the end of the motel bed.  

how often she lays her on back in his bed,
her arms wrapped around a pillow
dreaming of her paradise
with a counterfeit

they fight
Girl, you say it's not fair. It's never fair.

Love

he uses her
the glass of wine she drinks after work
her conscience runs deep as the scar he slides in her
Girl, you let him brand kisses in your neck
Spelling out his name
She became stained glass
with a reflection of moonlight
two people trying replicate love out of
broken hearts
She only ever thinks of
you
Girl, you mistress
Be bone when dogs are hungry

Father

by Briana Francis

Father took my beating,
So that I could have a curly fro-gasmic
Whipped
              cream they see
Sunkis’ scorch
                                   Dryer
A protective clear cap, my father so deeply cried for.
Father took my beating,
So that I could have a book to read,
Words
             That are a hymn in my voice
Run away to chase my
                                       Dream.
Five letters, my father so deeply cried for.
Father took my beating,
So that I could have a freedom
Cuffed
             His wrists plead mercy
Wrestling, turning red and blue
                                         White.
The enforcement, my father so deeply cried.

Briana Francis is a current student attending Centenary University. She is studying fashion merchandising and social media marketing.