Poetry: “constance chan” by Hannah Polinski

“the only constant in our friendship— / she’ll block me on facebook / after we go to a movie / a month or two passes in silence / then an invite for Taiwanese food”

This week, Hannah Polinski fearlessly delves into the nuances of queerness and friendship.


constance chan

we’re each other’s type— 

+++++second-gen, short-haired, left-leaning

i’ve known her before 

    & she’s known me

so we skip straight to assumptions

 

          bisexual anti-racist who

     (just happens) 

         to be dating (        )  men    

     (right now)

 

    it’s not my favourite common denominator 

but (         ) bodies must know how   

         & where        to stand 

                   or fall

 

     the only constant in our friendship—

she’ll block me on facebook 

       after we go to a movie

   a month or two passes in silence

then an invite for taiwanese food

 

i’m bothered at first then not at all

      noodles are my favourite carb 

   & one of the few meals i can afford

 

      we talk about books we’ve read

    always trying to one-up each other. judith butler

+++++++sucker-punched by audre lorde. maggie nelson 

          stacked against jenny xie

 

     we don’t mention how long it’s been since we last spoke

        since the online status beside her name turned green 

     our spoons scraping the bottom of the bowl indicate  

++++when it’s time to leave

 

    we don’t hug at the end of the night

      we’ve only hugged once   

           because our only alternative 

was burning at the stake. neither of us had a lighter 


Hannah Polinski

Hannah Polinski is a writer and filmmaker currently based in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal. Using a feminist lens, her work explores familial memory, shifting landscapes, and expressions of sexuality. She exists online at hannahpolinski.com.

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