Safe?
If you are Black,
is there an expanding space
you can name
which is safe?
Be it found at a front door?
Beside a side door?
Around a back door?
There was a time
the back door
was safe.
But no more.
Be it in your car?
Be it in your home?
Be it in your worship?
That is the precision in the problem.
It may just be an imaginary place,
behind a mythical curtain,
in a magical land,
with only fouled water to drink.
Where there are no shooting stars,
badges,
or guards
of honor.
You know what makes me cry?
There will be no ceremonies,
colorful processions
or declarations
to protect you.
And you must squint to see
anything at all,
beyond the illusion,
of it all.