Poems and Texts

“THE GREAT THING ABOUT HAVING A SECRET IS / IT STAYS A SECRET” by Jayson P. Smith

THE GREAT THING ABOUT HAVING A SECRET IS / IT STAYS A SECRET

& what i’m saying
is there’s a hierarchy
of shit to care about:
a sum of bone
you recognize. affirmations.
inevitable nausea. an open-
mouthed laugh
at a cold sun.
something low-key
pretty about private
conjunctions—
as always, i’m alone
— over context, in summary.
i assemble
rage without
a world, choose a
profitless church. another
would be brave.

Originally published in The Rumpus, April 2016

Photo: A.H. Jerriod Avant

Jayson P. Smith

Jayson P. Smith is a writer, editor, & educator. Their poems & interviews appear in journals such as fields magazine, The Offing, Day One, The Rumpus, & boundary2. Jayson has been the recipient of fellowships from The Conversation, Millay Colony for the Arts, & Callaloo as well as scholarships from Cave Canem & The New Harmony Writers’ Workshop. Jayson is currently a Mentor at Urban Word NYC & Creative Director for The Other Black Girl Collective. Jayson lives in Brooklyn and at www.jaysonpsmith.com.

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