Too Many Emojis

Originally shared March 8, 2023 on Patreon.

I’ve been noticing the ways in which
I’ve slowly made myself smaller
Like it’s my job to provide shades
For anyone who cannot handle
The rays beaming
From the space between my shoulders
And my lips
You understand what I’m saying?
Or do I have to translate it
Again
The language of my soul
Balanced on the ball point of a pen
This is how it happens
Like a summer night in August
The cold creeps in and all of a sudden
My hands are numb from withholding
There’s a difference between protecting one’s own privacy
And curating what you want them to see
To consider the perception that you have of me
Is to hold my own greatness on a leash
Too bold
Too old
Too middle of the road
Too many emojis
How I seem to you is frankly
Not my responsibility