TODAY
Today I am sipping my coffee and petting my cat.
Today I am grateful to be sipping my coffee and petting my cat.
Today I am thinking about the several run-ins I have had with police. And how I am lucky to still be alive.
Today I am thinking about the run-ins my friends and family have had. And how they are lucky to still be alive.
Today I am frightened to leave my apartment. And will be frightened to wear a facemask when I do. Not because of the covid virus, but rather the hatred virus. It’s not just a matter of keeping my germs in, but rather a matter of someone mistaking my intentions, leading to a situation where I lose my life.
Today I want the world to see what evil looks like, but am too traumatized and haunted by its image to look upon it myself.
Today the wishful naivete of “I have a dream” and the urgent fury of “by any means necessary” wrestle and do battle within me.
Today I want to yell and scream.
Today I want to fight.
Today I want equality in the form of blood. A life for a life.
And tomorrow, I want peace.
Today I am thinking about how we are built to endure, expected to thrive. To carry on, no matter what. Because that’s how we do. Because though our bodies aren’t invincible, our spirits are.
Because we come from Kings and Queens.
Because we are mighty.
Because we are powerful.
Yesterday morning, I was powerful.
And today I am powerless...
Today I feel a responsibility to speak up.
But today I am tired.
Today this is all I have to give. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have more. Maybe I’ll have less.
Today I have life. But when will that life have value?
I have today. Who knows what will happen tomorrow.
Today I am sipping my coffee and petting my cat.
Today I am grateful to be sipping my coffee and petting my cat.
Today I am thinking about the several run-ins I have had with police. And how I am lucky to still be alive.
Today I am thinking about the run-ins my friends and family have had. And how they are lucky to still be alive.
Today I am frightened to leave my apartment. And will be frightened to wear a facemask when I do. Not because of the covid virus, but rather the hatred virus. It’s not just a matter of keeping my germs in, but rather a matter of someone mistaking my intentions, leading to a situation where I lose my life.
Today I want the world to see what evil looks like, but am too traumatized and haunted by its image to look upon it myself.
Today the wishful naivete of “I have a dream” and the urgent fury of “by any means necessary” wrestle and do battle within me.
Today I want to yell and scream.
Today I want to fight.
Today I want equality in the form of blood. A life for a life.
And tomorrow, I want peace.
Today I am thinking about how we are built to endure, expected to thrive. To carry on, no matter what. Because that’s how we do. Because though our bodies aren’t invincible, our spirits are.
Because we come from Kings and Queens.
Because we are mighty.
Because we are powerful.
Yesterday morning, I was powerful.
And today I am powerless...
Today I feel a responsibility to speak up.
But today I am tired.
Today this is all I have to give. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have more. Maybe I’ll have less.
Today I have life. But when will that life have value?
I have today. Who knows what will happen tomorrow.