I transform for pay, the boy I become is
the boy who holds space in my dreams
bought, not bothered
with knowing how to explain himself or
apologizing for things he cannot control
cool, calm, collected
the ideal rent this boy – at times
his bones ache from the pressure
that is transforming people, while transformed
he remembers this body is medicine, curing
confused white men who think I need them
more than they need me.
how do you distinguish love from sex?
he asks, I tell him
sex fills me up & love reminds me
it’s okay to be empty