i still can’t breathe, a ghazal for amerika everyday folks risk their lives marching for freedom rage makes us forget our biggest fears american cities have sheltered-in for months on end folks hide behind masks, while a pandemic exposes secret fears in our home, my family speaks their names and honors their legacy Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd; we can never imagine your final fears last night, i dreamt my two sons finally lived in a safe world and smiled i woke remembering my babies remain target; tried to exhale these mama fears our family has had “black boy in amerika” conversations with our sons since they were seven did learning about Trayvon Martin at such a young age, teach them how to fear? my heart grows heavy, yet i hold onto legacy of my family marching for freedom Juliet, keep your voice raised and your head held high, fuck all this talk of fear!
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