by Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones)

I am lost in hot fits
of myself
trying
to get
out. Lost
because
I am kinder
to myself
than I
need
Softer
w/ others
than is good
for them.

Taller
than
most/
Stronger
What is it
about me
that
frightens me
loses
me
tosses me helplessly
in
the air.

Oh love
Songs
dont leave
w/o me
that you
are the weakness
of my simplicity
Are feeling
& want
All need
& romance
I wd do anything
to be loved
& this
is a stupid
mistake.

“Air” was included in Black Magic, a collection of Amiri Baraka’s poems written between 1961 and 1967.