growing up
i was more Laverne than Shirley
more Khadijah than Regine
wished i was more Alexis than Krystal
i loved that she was mean
i was more Cagney than Lacey
more Jo than Blair
was more Jaleesa than Whitley
Lord knows the girl went there
i was more Sabrina than Kelly
more Vanessa than Denise
i was more Weezie than Florence
i’m a libra
i keep the peace
i was more Marianne than Ginger
more Gina than Pam
was shonuff more Thelma than Willona
i don’t give a damn damn damn
i was more Janet than Chrissy
more Dee than Shirley, too
more Coco than Lydia
more Jan than Marcia
who
am i today?
i don’t see imaginings
of myself
on screen
guess i’ll have to write
a show
about
a middle aged
not strong
black woman
because it’s who i am
unseen.
monice mitchell simms 