M'aidez

Been in my head 
watching shit go down and not responding—
ya know? Doing what I’m told and walking fast—faster 
til the street’s out of view—behind the wall—round a corner. 
Thought that's what you do. The other person's 
more injured—let em be.

But the stress now. My brain is in a knot. 
The thought is...would be nice to hit someone. 
Ya know? I’m thinking hands up is I SURRENDER. It’s  
I GIVE UP. 

The cheek I’ve turned again and again 
is a thorn—and a thorn—I've buried deep inside my head— 
I mean I'm the one who's stuck it there!
Now a little voice getting louder—YA KNOW?— 
until the thorns come bursting out my hands. 

I DON'T CARE WHAT I AM.
I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU ARE.
SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! 

And that's how it happens: 
a whole nation—poof.




-In response to May Day, 2017
at
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