baba, every day I am
more scared and more emboldened
I met someone again and again, their
family forced to migrate because of
the bloodlust, the depravity of whiteness
every direction a treacherous path
where is home
where is home
what if it is too heavy
to carry on our shoulders
you are with me every day, every day
I wish you were here, am relieved that
you’re not, I have so much to tell you
you asked me once if I prayed, and
I said no but I was lying, I did and I do
I pray to Hope and to the hours
before the day wakes up,
I pray to Earth and to the ground
beneath my trembling heart,
I pray to Love and the boundaries
it shapes and reshapes,
I pray to the Unknown and ask
for relief from its hauntings
And I pray to Death
and I beg, and I beg, and I beg
and I beg
and I beg
that if Death must,
that Death is gentle.
That on the other side of this,
That on the side side of this,
we are all free.
baba, every day I am
more scared and more emboldened
