Poise, poetry by Maliya Denise Wilmore at Spillwords.com

Poise

written by: Maliya Denise Wilmore

You can hear me down the hall,
As I stand with them all.
Gazes fall, yet I remain still—
Unshaken, poised, with iron will.
Magnetic trance, allures them to feel

Here I am,
On top of the world,
Hair in place?
Never a strand out of control.

Jewelry that glimmers,
Perfume that lingers—
It might turn you on,
But I relish my presence,
My essence,
Unapologetically known.

Confidence unyielding,
Like a blue moon,
Rare and untouched
In the night of fleeting shadows.
Like bees, they will always swarm-
Around me
The queen.

But then, as I speak in rhythmic blues,
I sense it—
Oh, damn, that’s my cue.
But I can’t leave—
They keep talking to me,
Not seeing what’s brewing underneath.

I try to focus,
But it’s maddening—
That itch,
Down there.
I try not to be crass,
But it’s relentless,
An unbearable sensation.

I need to fix it,
But they don’t get it.
If I scratch it,
They’ll see me differently.
I must uphold this status,
This poised persona,
But goddamn,
It’s my ass.

I scramble for words,
A graceful escape from this irritation.
I smile, I nod—
But the distraction is killing my concentration.

I’m sorry to all who see,
I’m trying to be discreet,
But how well did I manage?
Now they look at me,
Disgusted,
And the itch—
Still there,
Unseen,
But so loud in my mind.

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Maliya Denise Wilmore

Maliya Denise Wilmore is a poet with an Associate’s degree in Science, having previously studied at Texas State University. Their poetry explores themes of identity, strength, and self-discovery through lyrical, introspective verse. With a voice that blends quiet resilience and striking imagery, their work resonates with those seeking depth and empowerment. Drawing inspiration from personal transformation and the natural world, Maliya Denise Wilmore hopes to share their poetry with a wider audience.

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