Poem by Tamika Heard & Art by K. Haskell

Who’s Pussy Is This?

Who’s spent hours on, days on,
years learning the ins and outs
of this pussy?

Who was taught to wipe front to back,
and felt the consequences of forgetting to?

Who feels the egg cycling around,  growing, dying, dead
Life and it’s reminders,
falling out this pussy?

Who pops the pills, tracks the charts, takes the shots?
Are you fighting to keep this pussy out the lab, out the constitution?

Who washes, shaves, plucks, moisturizes, steams, smokes, waxes,
Who lays their God blessed hands
upon this pussy?

Are you still wondering?

Who nurtures the hormones this pussy excretes daily?

Who perfected the rub, the pull,  the flick, massage, shake, thrust, caress…
The play it takes to please this pussy?

She has a desirable flavor, her lingering smell brings back memories
You couldn’t walk a mile with this pussy.

You think you want to claim it, own it.

It sounds nice, huh?

Naw baby, this pussy high maintenance
And you can’t afford the energy.

You wanna know “Who’s pussy is this?”
Look up at the person attached to her.

Tamika Heard is a textile artist, curator and community-based social activist. Since receiving a B.A. in Art Studies, she has continued independent study and community activism. Her most recent service was to the low-income community of Durham NC, where for 2 years she was the Creative Director for a sewing camp. She is currently exercising her Artist Managerial skills, helping artists of color secure space in areas exclusive of them.

K. Haskell is an interdisciplinary visual artist, draftsperson, and illustrator. Haskell has shown in a variety of venues  throughout New York. Haskell is the owner of the screen-printing  company, Haskieville Apparel and is also the co-founder of the Brooklyn art collective,  Gowanus Swim Society. Haskell recently completed their MFA at Massachusetts College of Art  and Design in the Boston Low Residency MFA Program, Summer 2020. Haskell’s Pronouns are They, Them, Theirs.