(after reading August 1619, A poem by Clint Smith & March 5, 1770 A poem by Yusef Komunyakaa)
& how long must we die for you
how long must we
lay down
our blood in the snow
in the sand
washing away in jungle rivers
for you
in rice patties
blown to bits in the air
crushed in the cold blue sea
dying
for you
our black bodies
our black blood
sacrifice for you?
& Yet
& still
you are afraid.