Yes, I did mean to hurt you.
And yes, I did mean to lie.
I’ll make all of this about me,
as if you spat in my eye.
I’ll pretend that I’m the victim.
I’ll pretend that you’re to blame.
I’ll pretend that your own self defence,
and all my hatred are the same.
When you complain I’ll call it cruel,
and when I’m cruel I’ll call it fair.
Our friends will flock to my side,
leaving you with no one there.
When they wake up I’ll be fine,
and hopefully you’ll be dead, I’ll bet,
our friends will turn and cry and wail,
pretending that they regret.
Yes, I did mean to hurt you.
And yes, I did mean to lie.
I’ll make all of this about me,
as if you spat in my eye.
Charl Landsberg is a transgender nonbinary womxn who lives in South Africa writing poetry about social justice, feminism, queer rights, racial justice, etc. They are also a writer, a musician, and an academic.