POEM: LOCKS
locks
to shape the world is every man's desire
a drive that phallicly fashions the ultimate
tool of possession—i was fumbling to unlock
the front door when i realized: these jingling
surrogate penises were the keys guarding whatever
material i have been taught to think i own
who constructed the first key? my mind flips: i remember
visiting tanzania, inside a traditional home
no lock no bars no closet no safe
and what about chastity belts?
i am amazed to realize how much of society
is based on the human body filtered through
the gender bias of alpha males protecting
the ownership of what they claim is theirs
—kalamu ya salaam
