Let's go back in time

To 2005

When I was at camp

A young girl

Who's never been away from home

Scared of bugs

And the dark

With only my stuffed animal for comfort.

On a regular day

Something felt wrong

A bad dream

Or maybe a vision

I needed to call home

But I couldn't

No phones, no emails

Just time...

Finally at home

In the comfort of my city

My most precious things

Have lost their faith

Soon enough

I would too.

A sit down talk

Very rare

My sister was shot!

I knew it!

I knew it in my bones!

I knew it in my soul!

I knew it in my dreams!

My sister was shot!

A shoot-out

In the car

In front of home

The "safest" place in the world

A bullet skimmed her head

As my mom yelled "drop!"

Red, white and blue all over the walls

A ride to decide her fate

Prayers to hope for the best.

Too much

Her little sister needed her

I needed her too much.

The best came

Staples and her face

All over the newspaper

But she was safe...

But we were safe...

Weren't we?

From old comfort to new

Maybe this would be better...

I spoke to soon

A history of drive-by's

With a futuristic outlook

Of dead black men

On the street

On my street

In front of my home

Where I am "safe"...

11 years old...

Knowing I'll never be safe.

Fast foward

Red, white, blue

Hands up

"Don't shoot!"

Dominican 

Black

25 years old...

I'll never be safe

-CBernabel