racism
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Broken Black Heart
Broken Black heart.Tattered Black heart.Broken Black fish.Battered Black fish.Black fish out of water. I offered my Black heart on a silver platter,And they took it for the slaughter. My Black heart was not used to beating outside of its Black chest.I closed my eyes and requested a rest.White bottoms of white dresses flitted around me.Hands… Continue reading
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Narratives of Trauma
What will it take for you to listen?You elect committee members to make a decision,Based on merit, about my admission. What is merit?A petite size flaunted by those who can wear it?A family heirloom that one inherits?The definition’s decided by those who share in it. I do not have access to the “merit” you require,No… Continue reading
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the case against higher education (the way you do it)
Spent my whole life trying not to think about race, but I can’t escape it. In claims of colorblindness, race is so pervasive. I hate it. My temperament is always on the cusp. Raise conscious, but you just want a tough rebuff. Put a pencil in my hand and tell me to take it. I write with your words, in your… Continue reading
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black girl magic
BLACK femininityunfailingly strong, what’s my identity?you want my patience, my complacence, or else I’m the enemy. any human emotionquick to turn a friend into a frenemy. you want my ass and my hips,my breasts, and nothing between.sexualize me but call me whorewhen you don’t get the attention you seek. fantasize my breath in your earbut… Continue reading
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Lessons on Being Black in America (Revised)
There’s so much anger inside my heartI feel like the world could ride a wave on it–Ride a wave.You all seem so surprised when the youth complains ofExhaustion, depression, anxietyBut give us the weight of the entire world to carry on our backs,To carry on our necks– Our necks, which you kneel on to remind… Continue reading
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WAKE UP
Sometimes, when I wake up, For one paralyzing moment, I can’t breathe. It’s the moment when my Eyes are still shut. I’m slowly coming into my senses. But most of us are so used to all five– We panic without even one of them. Being black is a little bit different. I have never taken… Continue reading
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Lessons On Being Black in America
I have so much anger in my heart I feel like I could carry the world on it– Carry the world. You all seem so surprised when the youth complains of Exhaustion, depression, anxiety But give us the weight of the entire world to carry on our shoulders. To carry on our necks– Our necks,… Continue reading
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Heavy
“Why are you crying?” His laughter is a bit like a drizzle. Something about it seems so distant and out of reach despite its presence all around me. It isn’t an uncommon thing–the way his thumbs trace the apples of my cheeks. He sinks his teeth into his lower lip, and I know he’s thinking… Continue reading
anxiety, BIPOC, blm, creative writing, diversity, lgbt, literature, POC, poetry, racism, writing, ya, young adult -
an open letter to racism
Dear Racism, When I was younger, I didn’t think much of you. I didn’t see people by their colors like crayons in a box. I didn’t think we were all markers, fighting to be our owner’s favorite color to use. I didn’t think we were colored pencils struggling to get to the top of her… Continue reading
About Me
Hi, I’m Mikayah Parsons (she/her/hers). When my nose isn’t buried in books, you’ll often find me writing poetry that documents how my various identities intersect on a larger national and global scale. In addition, I’m a student at Amherst College occupying roles in Dining Services, the Wellness Team, the Diversity Outreach Intern Team, and the History Department as a Student Office Assistant. I have a podcast called “Feeling FLI” that aims to bridge the gap between low-income students and elite colleges. Please feel free to reach out with any comments, questions, or suggestions! :)
World of Words 