By Maya Williams
Ecclesiastes says, frustration is better than laughter, and I
believe it when my sister says I am
missing the focus of blessings. Says, not
to forget the laughter we use to
obscure what’s truly felt from our prayers. Says, be
better at forgiving those we once trusted.
Worst is when she says to carry on with
hiding what hurts for the sake of a
friendly family gathering. Keep fury in my body.
Maya Williams (ey/they/she) is a religious Black multiracial nonbinary person who is currently the poet laureate of Portland, Maine. Ey has published in venues such as The Portland Press Herald, Indianapolis Review, FreezeRay, and more. You can follow more of eir work at mayawilliamspoet.com
