When I Bought My First Pair of Roller Skates by Victoria Sykes

they gripped the blood

out of my feet and

swung me through the

dorm halls like a drunk wind.

I cruised indoors

illegally–taunting

the restaurant workers

on campus

Get the hell out of here!

until they kicked me out.

When I brought the skates

to my parents:

I think I might join derby,

they looked at them and me and:

If this is your way of telling us

you’re a lesbian,

you can leave.

So I left.

I’ve grown fond

of the taste of metallic

bloody salt in my mouth,

purple knees

inked arms

and lesbians.