OverTheRainbow

i know all the words, of course. who doesn't? we are practically

brainwashed into our knowing, having to stand and face the flag

(when did you learn that it was hand over heart &

you are.

and: you don't have to be. 

let yourself exist.

sleep in late.

make your favorite foods.

hug your shoulders, your knees, not to hide behind but to marvel at.

you are marvelous.

means head of the year,

tippy-top, press restart, new year, wind it up, begin again,

clean slate, fresh sheet of paper. so get out your markers.

we're going to draw ourselves a better world.

she came up behind me one day & tapped me on the shoulder

i spun on my heel, unsteady, a dumb american consistently

ashamed of my language

she pointed at my face and drew a heart in the air with her thumbs

when the time comes

i am not ready.

as in,

the ground beneath me is still dew-soft with summer

and i am just barely stretching awake

to a morning not yet frosted over. they grab my stem

(i mean)

the work goes on

(in shouted songs & permanent marker protest signs

in places i'm not sure if i can still call home)

the cause endures

(in all the children born to these times and