Stephen Energia

A few friends beaming, another one bound, 
and still I hide the story in the story: 
how my best friend’s older brother Angel hit me 
up from a cell’s calculated cold, messaged me 

back many halogen burnt nights and I 
let our fluttering bond dwindle, let years 
mushroom between us when I had my choice 
of time. How I’ve smiled at men with badges 

leering from their chest, spoke sweet. How I swept 
down my throat any doubts, whited my way on 
through. That’s dishonest: I had no doubt to 
bury. You learn what you wear. I wore 

white well. I ate my cake, closed my windows 
as eager badges haunted my neighbors.

Stephen Energia Gifford-Bell is a white Latinx nerd. He was born in Quito, raised in Sarasota and Champaign, and became in Swannanoa. He’s settled in his boo’s home in Junín de los Andes. His poems have appeared in HAD, DEAR Poetry Journal, and elsewhere. Find him on Twitter @EnergiaStephen and instagram @i_equal_mc_squared