Kittykatruff

"No," you say, "Take them" 
I freeze
why could they possibly
be for me

i don't want your
broken dreams;
give me life,
vitality,

they weigh heavy
on my shoulders
like
a banged-up suit of armor

I miss

the way we smiled
seeing each other
every morning at school,

the inspiration, creativity
that came so naturally--
but
now it's become tiring--

the fire of autumn leaves
spreading across

O you golden clouds
floating on the horizon

Islands in a 
sea of pink
melting into
orange

I don't know you
etched across
my heart

My wings are
Clipped
my feathers
far away

Every headline
every day
Stabs me
in another way

All the love
vs. all the hate
why do we 
still play this game

Can't fathom
the reasoning
behind the
inequality

Darkness, darkness

How quick humans are
to jump to conclusions.

We see an image,
neurons fire,
assuming something
every time,
even if we
try not to.

if only we could feel each other's
emotions,
experiences,

On the protests against police brutality in late April and June, 2020
(a modern take on Dudley Randall's "Ballad of Birmingham")

"Mama, why are people marching
and saying we're not free?
Isn't America celebrated for