we carve down trees for being trees.
we take down pictures
for being memories.
we hold up hands
to prove innocence.
when did we turn
the corner,
find ourselves alone
in the alley.
when did we turn
to violence,
find ourselves
battered and bruised
outcries before fist.
when did we turn
the world to ash
cashing in quick ideals
and old laws
raw backs reopen
for fresh blood.
how did we let violators
carry power in their fingers
waiting for enough charge
to strike, a heated lightning.
how did we not see the storm
and batten down hatches,
find safekeep catches,
and stand guard
for our mothers, our daughters,
our brothers, our fathers,
our lovers, our friends, our neighbors,
our community, our world.
we have a duty to stand.
we have a duty to defend.
this is our land, our homestead,
these are our people.
we can love, we can mend,
but we can fix what is dead.
we will be dead:
all that we fight for,
all that we built,
all that we gained
plain for all to see.
violence rumbling in heads
little seismic shudders at first
and we cursed ourselves for not preparing.
when the whole earth trembles
you know it to be fear,
they leer and jeer,
sheer insecurities
trying to feel superior.
and if we do nothing
and if we do nothing
and if we do nothing
we will be broken.
little remnants of care
ripped apart by aftershocks
no there, there’s
only apparent wasteland
rubble we don't trouble to remove,
ruins we skirt around
as we rush to safety--
that lie we will cling to--
because if we recede
there is no safety,
there is no community,
there is no together.
only chaos
in rooms
gloomy with loneliness.