Prayer

We quick stomp on worn soles

avoid soul-touching and close brushes

with others around our home

like kids know no standing so close to lit coals

...it might burn.

I’m thinking about wounds we

never fully heal but force closed

throwing up shields

to protect us against our woes foes

What’s it take to close a city kids heart?

How many homeless veterans in despair,

kids arrested for skipped MTA fares,

how many massacres til we stay scared,  

cops harassing lone brothers with no hope and no prayer,

until we say we can’t care?

Empathy is energy, we’re mentally exhausted

tryna keep ourselves together often wondering if we lost it

we’ve been standing far apart like our bodies might be noxious

like others are just waste of space, or hurt to face, toxic.

No recognition or eye contact for a stranger

sometimes I think vulnerability is the greatest danger

sometimes I think vulnerability is our greatest savior

caring hurts but apathy does too

draw me lines between

selflessness, selfishness, and self-love

I’m feeling confused.

I wish we could know our neighbors

we need communities now rather than later

No more atomized selves, we need collectives

to help ourselves be greater

I pray I give recognition and dignity

those I don’t know and don’t favor

I pray our city finds trust finds love

and maybe one day it’ll be easier

to open up to a stranger,

New York will you answer my prayer?