date night where we become vital organs by Isaac Akanmu

last night was a movie—a rom-com. we laughed as a black man drank bleach but still lived.

meanwhile, i drank two cups of dairy & suffered the consequences. internal organs are funny like that. we sat so close, we became each other's lungs that evening. your exhales, i inhaled. your laughter, your peace, my oxygen—we mastered breathing. yet, we wondered how that black man drank bleach but still lived. we digested credits & behind-the-scenes clips. we learned more about internal organs, their talents, how they became comedians in the first place. feeling inspired, you suggested that we become livers. i obliged. & from that evening, we lived.

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Isaac Akanmu is a Nigerian American from Staten Island, NY. Now living in Charlotte, NC, Isaac was the recipient of the 2023 Charlotte GoodLit Fellowship. His poetry chapbook, not belonging anywhere, is available with Bottlecap Press (2022). Connect with Isaac at isaacakanmu.com and on social media (@insteadofisaac).