Grownfolk Blues; Grownfolk Business; & I was told

Grownfolk Blues

bill collectors find me no matter where I move
been eyeing some comfortable dr. scholl’s shoes
google med school for every bump & bruise
webmd say I’m gon die by tues

pocket list full of endless to-dos
options ain’t options when they all a lose-lose
dead dead dying say the grownfolk news

I got the grownfolk blues
I got the grownfolk blues

got no control over what no people do
none over disaster or what I go through
yet people keep saying my life’s what I choose

I got the grownfolk blues
I got the grownfolk blues

grownfolk expenses & grownfolk foods
finished school just to follow grownfolk rules
looking for answers but everybody confused

we got the grownfolk blues
we got the grownfolk blues

saturdays for laundry & not cartoons
ma kicked me off the insurance & phone plan too
bought everything the commercials told me to

I got the grownfolk blues
I got the grownfolk blues

just play the game & I’ll get what I’m due
turns out that ain’t close to true
so I’m same sad me with a new perfume

I got the grownfolk blues
I got the grownfolk blues

 

Jae Nichelle is the author of God Themselves (Andrews McMeel, 2023) and The Porch (As Sanctuary) (YesYes Books, 2019). Her work has been featured in The Offing Magazine, Best New Poets, The Washington Square Review, and elsewhere.