The Way Out

I drove miles from my southern beach town mid-semester,
packed my bags in secret, nothing but “Ophelia”, “Delilah”,

and a red bull to keep me company. Pointed my car toward
the brightest pin-pricked hole in the dark, gripped the wheel

fearing the tide of hair straightening and code-switching
would pull me back. I soared down I-40, holding the entire night

in my hands. Salty side-eyed stars and ocean gossip still caked
on my skin. Gave myself permission to frown- to crooked

the crescent moon they cast out. The last time I ventured out alone,
the sky split— cracked whole poles in half, yanked the trees from their

root, but this time I ran with the wind on my side. Only a wild thing
can comprehend a wild thing. Only something torn can say

goodbye to the rot of solitude. This time, night is the way out.
Only it knows what waits for me on the other side.

 by Khalisa Rae