Stephen Mead
Kiki
Versatility's the key
the key we're gonna be
be we're gonna
imagine most any way
imagine & really breathe it
up out from the bowels
down across & into our lives
our lives all of them
a sort of crossword
& everyone having letters
a sort of chessboard
& everyone having the moves
you be knight now queen
bishop now rook
pawn now king
& goin' more than one step
one direction
black/white power
& how come
there ain't more colors
or more women or more trans
& who made these rules
can't fool us
remembering love
l ove in the thick
of war
of dawns
silver lightening the sky
the sunrise pink
the hands on top
on bottom
in the blood
the breath
birthing blossoms
a whole variety
(A kiki is a social gathering, usually for the purpose of casually “kicking back,” gossiping, and sharing stories. It is historically connected to LGBTQ communities.
Alternatively, kiki is also the name of a ballroom drag subculture that celebrates gender nonconformity, racial diversity, and sexual openness.)
