MOSH BISH

by Denise Nichole

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mosh bish—
for every time you felt powerless /for every black kid in a suburb that couldn’t fake it
for every name you were called by the boys who talked shit /but not to your face /not to your face

mosh bish—
for the all the girls you secretly dated/ for all the times you pulled your hand away 
cause’ somebody was watching/for all the microaggressive reasons you were sent to the office/
it wasn’t your fault / it wasn’t your fault

your brown skin was always defiance & it was hard for you to hold eye contact
& if you’re laughing your joy must be silenced/ but not if you’re white/ not if you’re white

mosh bish—
for every time you felt hopeless/ for all the ways you imagined your life would end/ for all the
birthdays your father missed/ but never called/ never called

mosh bish—
for the theydies & gentlethem/ for every mixed kid in a high school that was told to pick/ for every
dance you couldn’t attend/ but always wanted to/ always wanted to

your tough skin was always paper thin & it was hard for you to smile then & if you’re crying you’re
not appreciative / but only when you’re first generation /first generation

mosh bish — 
leave it all in the pit

mosh bish — 
for every misfit & hooligan

mosh bish — 
cause you ain’t dead yet.

you ain’t dead. 
you ain’t dead. 

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Denise Nichole, MFA, is the Publisher of The Hellebore Press & Founder of HUES. She teaches and resides in Sacramento, CA with her partner in crime. She enjoys metal before 10 am, strumming on her bass guitar, and collecting bolo ties. Do not ask to touch her hair but do tweet her @DNicholeAndrews.