by Michele Troutman

Jim Crow. Jimmy Buffet. Jim Bean

crack

-corn

white waters

rafting

black and brown bodies

sink

mama never taught me how to swim

frivolous work

endeavor another day

Jimmy

paddles

in the deep end

laughing

-sans duress

laps round’ rope

me, I

keep on keeping on

questioning strokes

for bodies made to float

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Michele Troutman is a Maryland native living in Boston. She is a proud Black woman. She is also a lover of science, coffee, fundamental rights, and her stout cat “Brady.” This is her debut.