Insidious
It is obscene
The way fragile whiteness
Plagues Black people
To death
We die Black in custody
Black in the ER
Black in the OR
Black in labor
Black driving
Black running
Black walking
Black with a degree
Black in a hoodie
Black in a suit
Black at the wrong door
Black at the wrong party
Black at the wrong school
Black not equal to wrong
Black with no bail
Black with no witnesses
Black and Autistic
Black with COVID
Black and Gay
Black and Trans
Black and sleeping
Black with heads bowed
In prayer
To a God who can’t click over
Ironic a triune without three-way
Died Black and pretty
Black and too smart
“for our own good” = smarter than you
Died Black with our hands up
Backs turned
On our feet
On our knees
With your knees on our necks
Begging to breathe
Black and sleeping
In
Her
Bed
Be grateful
You aren’t
Burning
Its a wonder
We haven't
Burned it
All down.
© Confidence Omenai
