Rewrite iAM POETRY 2020
Years later, I will remember this day as the reason I have such low self-esteem now I unlock the door with my set of keys Turn the door handle and enter the apartment The neighbours are chainsmoking again I can smell it through the vent above the stove I make the right turn into the kitchen where a bright yellow slip of paper catches my eye In another room, I can hear you Mumbling to yourself I walk towards the paper on the microwave and I read the words you’ve written I process them with my eyes Unconsciously absorb them into my skin 9 people tell me I am good I believe the one voice who tells me that I am bad I turn and scan the apartment and I see There are more coloured sticky notes On the walls, On the closet, On the fridge, I read each one and internalize the names you’ve scrawled on them My name isn’t Yasmine anymore and I am no one’s daughter I rush to the bathroom Through the narrow hallway I’m in the doorway and I see another sticky note On the mirror neon green It tells me I am a failure and I believe it I look in the mirror and I tell myself “I hate you”
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