by Lauren Banka
The linguistic acrobatics necessary for this
are considerable. Uncertainties are rephrased
as imperatives, warnings, statements of desire.
His relationship with Virginia has become more efficient
but nobody uses the word “love” anymore. (What is love
but the best ever uncertainty?) When he is in court,
he is completely silent. He says he is self-conscious
about the way he speaks. He knows he is sitting on
a buckled mirror, not a bench.
He knows people say “Clarence” and think “Anita.”
He knows everyone is waiting for him to prove he’s just
thick Georgia dialect, asking the wrong questions.
Clarence Thomas plays it safe. Clarence Thomas
visits colleges and doesn’t want to talk about his job.
Lauren Banka is an award-winning poet, artist, and organizer who has performed and competed nationally, and has been published in Conclave and the Lake River Review as well as two chapbooks. She lives in St. Louis, MO.
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