FLAMETHROWER

_____________

My internal spirit of rebellion

Is far from calm--

Incendiary

 

Anger builds

Single spark ignites

Observing injustice

 

From figures of authority,

Power moves, prejudice--

Inferno in the making

 

Refusing to be

The next victim, the next pawn,

I know these sensations well--

 

Long ago, I marched on California's streets

Against animal torture,

Middle East oil wars,

 

Biotech,

White supremacy,

Police murder--

 

Inferno found release 

Through the plastic weapon

Clutched in my ebony hands

 

Felt like

An assault rifle

And equally as loud.

 

My finger on the trigger,

My lips on the mic piece,

One breath and 

 

The inferno spat forth. Forceful

Tongue of flame

Pure lyrical fire.

 

White-hot

Righteous rage

Aimed at the police line.

 

Heat searing

Through lawmen's egos

Catchy chant and hook:

 

TU PUERCOS

PROTEGEN

A LOS RICOS!*

 

Additional flames

Were unleashed

As names of the dead

 

Protectors of capital

Saw fit

To exterminate:

 

AYANNA JONES!

ALAN BLUEFORD!

ERNESTO DUENEZ!

 

Following my voice 

Inching forward like their steps,

The march of people had added power.

 

There's no

Taking back

The truth.

 

The streetbound mass and the lawmen

That followed and fenced us 

In front of the cop shop

 

Were left 

Wondering who

I am.

 

I am

More than a single man

With a sonic flamethrower,

 

Battery-powered

Loudhailer**

In my tight ebony fist.

 

I am lyrics.

I am fire.

I am social justice.

_________________

W: 7.17.22

[ For Maureen Medina, Laura Hawkins-Grevel and Jenny Kalahar. ]

 

*SPANISH: "You pigs protect the rich!".

**Australian word for "bullhorn".

 

[ From the book Crimson Stain, EYEPUBLISHEWE, 2024. ]