BODIES
We don’t need your spirit
We need your body
Standing with us
Chanting with us
I need you here beside me,
In solidarity
But instead you send well wishes and sorries
You say, “I’ll be there in spirit”
Instead of with the group following
You ghost
And your words, swallow them
We’re toast,
Because our group is weak without you
It’s fucked up how we need the privileged people
Who don’t need us
Who don’t throw a fuss, when we die in the streets
But, we need your body
Not your wishes
That’s why we ask for you
Still you hide under that privilege
Instead of marching you stay inside
At home, at work, in class
Any excuse to avoid the truth
You’re unthreatened by Trump’s decisions
Although rash, you may sign some petitions
But your presence, it’s like charity,
It’s not mandatory tor you to be there for me
Yet I need you
We bleed,
Because of you there’s lost bodies
Oil costs bodies,
Nikes cost bodies,
Fast Food Cost bodies,
Starbucks, McDonald’s and Wendy’s restaurants even lobby
To fill prisons with more bodies.
Black Bodies
Brown Bodies
Taken to suffer
So you can continue to be a pumpkin spice lover
Bodies fall short of breath
There’s no hope or life
They serve us death
Clean air, clean water
In Flint there’s none left
Dirty bodies, dehydrated bodies
So stop being snobby
And Bring me your body,
Stand with us
Shout out right beside me
I want to hear you say it,
“Black Lives Matter!”
Chant the undeniable fact
That this ‘great nation’ is built
On Black bodies backs.
-Amani Sawari
