I Declare
every day I wake up
in a country that is at war
with my very existence
I send five children out in a nation full of monsters with hungry mouths
pray the call doesn't come
pray for their safe return
buy more ammo
practice my aim
if the day comes I will not miss
steel myself against the onslaught of violence against Black bodies
on every news feed
over 150,000 Black women
still missing
pray for their safe return
COVID ain't gone nowhere
make more elderberry syrup
pay gun club dues
buy a burner phone
put it in the go bag
with the heat resistant gloves
goggles check
make more body butter
stay hydrated
when all five heartbeats
are home safe and sound
collapse in the arms
of the Black man
who is sanctuary
a storm if they come for me
buy more ammo and sea moss
when he falls asleep
head out
past curfew
pray for my safe return.
©Confidence Omenai 2020
