as a child, I was dressed as a bumblebee, buzzing—
on stage, moved to music, the only brown child
at the entire recital, there I was, glowing.
I was taught to be a consummate performer!

on stage, moved to music, the only brown child
still, I knew all the steps, harmonized my muscles,
I was taught to be a consummate performer.
once, I was shoved into the orchestra pit.

still, I knew all the steps, harmonized my muscles.
there, my stinger broken, determined, I crawled out of the hole.
once, I was shoved into the orchestra pit,
all the white girls seemed to laugh with the crescendo.

there, my stinger broken, determined, I crawled out of the hole
at the entire recital, there I was, glowing.
all the white girls seemed to laugh with the crescendo!
as a child, I was dressed as a bumblebee, buzzing—