Louisiana Humidity
louisiana humidity chokes you. it takes a hold
of your lungs and squeezes tight. my parents
didn’t consider this when they moved into our
home of Bones and Skin. I dread the moments of my red
flushed face and beating heart from a moment outside.
the south has not been kind to those of us who
don’t evolve to Breathe around the Heat. it walks over
us, beats us. kills us. and then declares our broken and
butchered lungs a Testimony to its Strength. i
wonder if it is actually revealing its Cowardice.
louisiana humidity does not get lighter with the
winter months. there is no reprieve from the overbearing
moisture. it seeps into my pores at night, even as our ac
bill robs us dry. my mouth is Open. Open. please, God,
it is open. words pour out of which i don’t recognize.
uniformity is valued here. where boys wear collared
shirts, and men wear Pointed Hoods. girls sew their skirts
and women sew their sins. there has never been,
and there will never be, overlap. the humidity will take
care of that if the burning crosses haven’t already.
i try not to Love things here. they Melt. my affections are
too warm, and the heat grows jealous. ripping smooth
skin and pink lips out of my Fingertips. instead, i watch
the wax figurines from a distance as they fight against
their dripping bodies. i try not to miss them.
louisiana humidity grows on a person. i no longer
fear the Noon Sun. my toes gladly curl in the green grass.
the south has the most gorgeous grass. i fear those who watch
from shadowed windows, their cold eyes grazing my skin. my
face flushes red again, but now accompanied with boiling blood.
enjoy the heat. enjoy God’s sun. why will they not
come outside. the humidity Comforts, what is to fear?
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