from White Monkey [Interview. Time: 15:42]

Translated by Christian Gullette

The journalist says she gets it.

“I have a friend from Africa.

I want you to know,

I get it.”

I crawl inside myself,

past my sweaty pits

and hear myself say 

I’m not accusing her

of anything.

Originally published in the March 2019 issue of Words Without Borders. From White Monkey © Adrian Perera. By arrangement with the author. Translation © 2019 by Christian Gullette. All rights reserved.