White

Ralph
my first
black
friend.

Milwaukee
I slept
on your floor
machines
turning gears
all night.

Rose
at 7
walked
into the
sun.

Realized
-flash-
I was
glowing:
only
one
in
sight.

Sheer
blink
of terror
shoulders
bundling
to neck.

Gasp
discomfort
not
belonging
then
fast on
its heels:
guilt.


Turn
to your
face
smiling
full of
morning.

Despair
knowing
in this
divided
city
you must
feel this
heaviness

Every
single
god
damned
day.