White fragility

The exact place where private chaos and social outrage meet”

– Baldwin

There’s a black bird crying

near my window, and I sit inside.

There are scars around his neck

where one choked, they all choked

and broken beak scream.

I wonder why it’s broken?

Smashed windows, broken hope,

“disturber of the peace,”

when she sings what peace.

The peace from inside?

Cowardice claims of peace,

fuelling the fires from fragility,

to rattle the subconscious awake.

I created the fires from inside. 

Quick to turn cheek from window,

to silence the screams, peace,

to look inward at the damning truth—

my lineage watched you choke.

I watch you choke,

and I want, now, to hear you scream

as I watch them wipe, fresh,

Clorox on my windows.

Let the black bird scream.