I yearn for the days
that seem to never exist
When my sisters
my brothers
would hold hands and walk down the
street with nothing in our heads
but songs of happiness
rhythms of our euphoric youth

I’m faced with the days
of fiery displeasure
Of having hot ash spew
up our throats and out our eyes
Fists in the air and
broken dreams out in the open
I thought that the past
wasn’t supposed to mean
the present

I yearn for the moments
of unity
When any man
woman
child
could bring forth every corner of their soul,
say, “This is me,”
and everything would be grand
I yearn for the moments when
people were human

I’m faced with the days
of being taught colors
aren’t just colors
and labels are plastered everywhere
like sensitive skin and blood and bones
can be looked at like a dingy sofa
at a yard sale

Today
my brothers
my sisters
my people
We have heat behind our eyes
passion pouring out of our heads
and we throw our voices
with reason
with dignity
And the volume doesn’t get too much
because here we are loud, proud,
and God’s hands on our shoulders
We are
here!

Our children will no longer hear
“This is what you are”
They will learn
of how to march with purpose
and how to live and love
We plant seeds
and someday the sprouts shoot up
Strong and compassionate
I yearn for the days
that are yet to come