Citizens of Fear
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| Cartoon by A. Hall |
Citizens of Fear
I count the shadows before I step outside.
Every glance feels like a question I cannot answer.
The streets hum with warnings I do not understand.
My papers shake in hands that do not trust me.
Night stretches longer than the city allows,
windows hide eyes that judge before I speak,
while doors click closed at my approach,
I count the shadows before I step outside.
I memorize the faces that might notice
the language I speak is too loud, too strange.
Every word is measured against suspicion,
every glance feels like a question I cannot answer.
The wind carries rumors sharper than knives,
sirens echo over walls I cannot scale,
and fear curls around every step I take.
The streets hum with warnings I do not understand.
I hide in plain sight where and when I can,
because sleep feels like a risk I cannot afford.
Hope is a thread too thin for me to trust,
My papers shake in hands that do not trust me.
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A tragic story of our time for too many!
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine what it must be like to live in the U.S. in these uncertain and dangerous times, Chris, but you’ve made me feel that fear in your cascade, especially in ‘The streets hum with warnings I do not understand’, ‘windows hide eyes that judge before I speak’, and the lines:
ReplyDelete‘The wind carries rumours sharper than knives,
sirens echo over walls I cannot scale,
and fear curls around every step I take.’
Chris, you weave the atmosphere of dread that so many are feeling in so many places. I can't imagine what the people of Minneapolis are going through. As I continue to get job posts where more ICE agents are being hired, it seems like things will continue to escalate. I also heard 700 ICE pulling out of MN, but then I wonder where they are headed next.
ReplyDeleteTimes we're (sadly) in, captured perfectly. Thanks. This old peace freak hippie has always hoped we could leave them behind, but apparently not.
ReplyDeleteHaving to carry all your papers with you at all times to be read by someone who doesn't understand them and doesn't care for anything except their quota is scaring.
ReplyDeleteYou capture the intensity of the situation so well 🖤
ReplyDeleteThis cascade captures so well to me the fear of an immigrant in times of suspicion and threat.
ReplyDelete