Member-only story
Have you ever spent an extended amount of time — (just read, all your life) trying to breathe in a climate of suspicion, despise and hate?
A crooked finger, points and aims their privilege straight in your face. Imagine, being told to ‘just relax’
whilst the weight of a states murderous foot-soldier —
steals your last breath away.
Still, the ‘white gaze’
demands compliance — and whispering tones that sound like silence
in response to structural, physical and psychological violence?
It’s all too absurd for flowery words.
Would you like me to rock you in my arms and sing you a lullaby?
Should I encourage you to hope,
even if I feel hopeless and my anger is rejected as out of place?
Free emotional labour for the comfort of others —
is not a part of my agenda when lives are at stake.
I am not okay today.
Are you okay?
Watching real lives come under threat or senselessly ended?
You can’t make it make sense.
There is no pity for foolishness here,
the fuckery is too loud and too clear.
