For Samuel Blizzard Jr., Calvin Streater and Durand Robinson, black gay men murdered during the last 10 days in Atlanta.
“who learns to love me
from the mouth of my enemies”
-Audre Lorde “Need”
who have your back
who cradle your lightheaded bright eyes
who frame your face with hands pride portrait sending home
who love
who write your sweat salt into affirmation
who believe in you enough
surely the thin rope tied sweatshop stitched free backpack
filled with plastic reinforced dance party flyers
is no shield for your bulletproof and brazen spirit
no container for your purpose
who hold you and keep you safe
who watch your moving mouth and learn to love you whole
when did your open heart become a liability
when did your brave insistence on the community of an instant
become an open temple for the fear
of shapeshifters who know not
themselves in you
until too late
who paint our faces
taste the iron of your blood
until our words turn Kevlar and mean something
the back of your head looks so soft little brother
eggshell skull and brilliance breaking
sometimes I want to cry just looking at you
how to accept that your clean lined queen glide
tentative teeth ready to smile
fierce and femme
is a hopeful contradiction that could end
who believe in you enough to change everything
who love to learn your mouth whole
who hold
who hold
who hold your waiting hand
who cup your fresh cut hair
who kiss your lashed down lust
who hold
who hold
who hold you up
who have
who have
who have
your back
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