When we leave, when all this is passed away,
if you need us: remember the decisions
you made. Whether walking or shopping, voting
at the poll in your old elementary school, 
Remember,
you can’t say you love me
then hurt me.

*

Actions lead 
to reaction. Damage 
creates damaged people.
So go ahead and sing your goodness.
I won’t be there to see

your kindness. Instead,
I will live at the corner 
of “should-have-been.” I will
live in between
the hipbone of our democracy.

*

You can say love me most, that you want
the best for me. Prove it.
Let me live by my terms.
And not by the box
you’ve made for yourself.

*

Remember: we could have built
a world together. We could share
love like it was a pet or ripening
fruit. Instead I will give my love

to the hurting, will build
a body, together in this
broken place.