Poem by Akira Elisiya Oniwinde

In a box

Duality, multifaceted visibly unknown

Pressure, isolation visible yet unknown

Intersectional cross sections leave scars only fully understood through the veil of the unknown.

Dark times, dark faces, sticky tar born of accusation-like assumptions.

Assumptions that contradict my presence, my manner or speech, my depth of knowledge my manner of being. 

Too painful a pathway to rewire, not cognitively dissonant enough, you label assumptions as a “part of your truth” and treat me as such.

Where my home is and “back home” is are the heads and tails of the same coin. My coin. Me. This is visible to me yet misunderstood. Unknown.

Outwardly I must shine, but only in ways those like and unlike me deem appropriate

The presence of darkness is forbidden, ignored, devalued. 

For if those before me suffered to get me to where I am, how dare I feel the same.

The aspects I revere – the creativity, loving community are often overshadowed. The sparks that created a stubbornness that has bred success.

Appreciated by those othered, as we mirror each other. Mirrored by those othered as we appreciate each other.

Isolated together. Truly known.

Words by Akira Elisiya Oniwinde