The furious flash
of a glitching speed sign
screams in orange

SLOW       SLOW      SLOW
DOWN     DOWN     DOWN

at me walking
beside a road devoid
of drivers
so I respond
well where the hell do you think I’m goin’?

Then I pause for a reply,
imagining a sentient entity
reading my heart and trying
to make contact.
A spirit offering guidance?
A devil wielding temptation?
My own conscience?

SLOW
DOWN
IS THE WORLD REALLY READY
FOR WISDOMS YOU HAVE TO SHARE?

I shake my head.
The world does nothing but get caught by surprise.
Why should I wait to be any different?

SLOW
DOWN
OR YOUR TERRIBLE TRUTHS WILL TRAGEDIZE
PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF YOU!

I puff my chest.
I can’t be afraid of what others will think.
Besides, the real ones will see the real me anyway.

SLOW
DOWN
NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR
WHAT THE WHITE MAN HAS TO SAY ANYMORE!

I breathe in deep.
It’s not about that. Not completely.
The white man does not need to return to power
but he must stay relevant 
so that the wise ones can lead the young ones
back from their waywardness.

The sign stays blank for a moment
as if this fractured fraction of reality
had a loose connection snap back into place.
Then

SLOW
DOWN
36 37 36 35 34
followed by rumbling engines.

I nod, satisfied, and continue on my way
leaving whatever I just conquered–
a malevolent spirit? my own self-doubt?–
forgotten behind me.

For the world right now can’t afford
the good and the strong to flinch.
I have never felt so fearless before.