hut, can’t you quit crying? 

i’ve just relaxed my hair

wait until after the wedding 

wailing won’t heal my wound

my sister has four boys at fifteen

the village can smell me rot

i’m scrubbing off this spinster’s stench 

hut, hold it in if you’re hurt

your tears will burn the perm but

weeping won’t melt my marriage 

dad’s house drank the bride price

i’m not allowed to wonder what if—

stop slobbering like a raincloud 

ruining a wedding is witchcraft