Pork Fried Rice and Whiteness

Every morning a written and spoken poem are delivered to my inbox. Awhile ago I decided that I have the control to change what I take in, I can substitute poetry, science, art for "news", politics, and other horrors... or at least delay those a little bit.

This morning a poem seemingly born of the me too movement arrived in audio format and is worth hearing til the end. In fact Choi wrote this in 2012. Prescient, yet timeless.

So I was introduced to Franny Choi, and I am grateful for that. Another one I came across is worth a look. Whiteness Walks into a Bar.

To the Man Who Shouted “I Like Pork Fried Rice” at Me on the Street" - Franny Choi

you want to eat me

out. right. what does it taste like

you want to eat me right out 

of these jeans & into something 

a little cheaper. more digestible.

more bite-sized. more thank you

come: i am greasy 

for you. i slick my hair with msg

every morning. i’m bad for you.

got some red-light district between 

your teeth. what does it 

taste like: a takeout box 

between my legs.

plastic bag lady. flimsy white fork 

to snap in half. dispose of me.

taste like dried squid. lips puffy 

with salt. lips brimming 

with foreign so call me

pork. curly-tailed obscenity 

been playing in the mud. dirty meat.

worms in your stomach. give you 

a fever. dead meat. butchered girl

chopped up & cradled

in styrofoam. you candid cannibal.

you want me bite-sized 

no eyes clogging your throat.

but i’ve been watching 

from the slaughterhouse. ever since

you named me edible. tossed in

a cookie at the end. lucky man.

go & take what’s yours.

name yourself archaeologist     but

listen carefully 

to the squelches in 

your teeth & hear my sow squeal 

scream murder between 

molars. watch salt awaken 

writhe, synapse. 

watch me kick 

back to life. watch me tentacles 

& teeth. watch me 

resurrected electric.

what does it

                                    taste like: revenge

squirming alive in your mouth

strangling you quiet 

from the inside out.

Source: Poetry (March 2014)