boxes: nikki giovanni | i am in a box on a tight string subject to pop without notice everybody says how strong i am only black women and white men are truly free they say it’s not difficult to see how stupid they are i would not reject my strength though its source is not choice but responsibility i would not reject my light though my wrinkles are also illuminated something within demands action or words if action is not possible i am tired of being boxed muhammad ali must surely be pleased that leon spinks relieved him most of the time i can’t breathe i smoke too much to cover my fears sometimes i pick my nose to avoid the breath i need i do also do the same injustice to my poems i write because