I'll Rise But I Won't Shine

it's not about making sense

of the last fifteen minutes

or ten years ago

i'm afraid of americans

of misspelled histories

i pity americans

& christian hate

& their white faces reddening

at my body as it

embodies

the rest is all just drag

it is morning in Philadephia

& my meds haven't

kicked in

there is a chill

& it defines my body

i know its roundess

overestimated in my youth

joined the rallies

my sign, a song

or silent prayers

since i also fear crowds

the opposite of cold days

there are more reasons

to see the dawn

but conversation

must be the most

honorable

& here, wrapped

in a star quilt

sometimes it's

nightfall &

sometimes it's

day