new american

Shadows of wings

of missile-clad, military aircraft

fly across the wet reflections

of my human

on the shower floor.

I sigh at what they’re there for.

Black box static

in rich american technicolor:

“deTHpiKable acts, no mercy”

segregates me

from my planet, Earth.

I mourn for Sylvester’s bird.

Shower drops fall

with tears of empathy for my brothers:

friend, partner, kinfolk, lover who

jumped like lab rats

from the guillotine.

I repent my brother’s sin.

My Soul cries out

in pain for humanity, the end near.

My terrified child, bound and gagged,

wriggles escape.

He stands and preaches.

I listen to his teachings:

“Break from shower

shadows! Flush the black box and dry away

your woes! Take from me your wings. To

them give new life.

Set our angel free;

Be strong, feel love, show mercy!”

October 14, 2001, NYC

It is time

It is time to untangle your tongue,

and let the muzzle drop with a thud;

time to speak your truth, tell the narrative,

one both as unique as it is universal.

It is time to bear witness to you, all of you,

to your own singular experience of this,

the imagining, the awareness, the breathing,

this thing we call life, the being we cherish.

beyond all the ways

you are dissected:

the labels,

the identifiers,

the accolades,

the rumors,

the adjectives,

the adverbs,

the slangs,

and the slurs,

you are a whole

human being

with a consciousness,

an essence,

a soul

that is your own

alone

and thus, you are

extremely valuable

and deserving of love

just for being you.

believe this.

it is true.