By Rachel Barduhn
I solemnly swear,
I will remain queer.
Despite the metaphorical
Pitch forks
You spit
from your mouth
Tasting of grape juice
(Blood)
And stale wonder bread
(Body of Christ)
No such verse
Can convince
My heart
It consists of dark matter.
I stop in the name of love
As if I’m winning Diana Ross
As my wife
Or taking the last dance
With Donna Summer.
I presented my signature
As confirmation
By my own penmanship
I was chosen for this “lifestyle”
The moment I was born.
Rachel Barduhn is a Afro-Jamaican & German writer/poet from Ontario, Canada. She
has a few scattered publications under her belt such as Pinhole Poetry Launch issue,
Scarborough Arts (Issues 8 & 9), a short story with Hey Young Writer and a small
collection of poetry Odd Girl, Odd World with Bottlecap Press.
In 2012 she placed third for a spoken word competition and in 2014 she earned herself
the Robert Small award for Students in Black Arts. Rachel mainly focuses on various
topics in her poetry including sexuality, womanhood, black identity, mental illness and
many more.
When she isn’t focused on writing, she’ll create abstract collage art putting women as
her centerpiece, cooking up new recipes and reading various books.
Hot Pot Magazine 