A Failure to Commit

And it really is you. It's not me at all.

photo by USAF Airman st Class Brea Miller

Memorize these lines
give them back on command
keep your fears on hand
and know you’ll never be on brand
in this land.

Palm over your heart
whisper words about freedom
even though we don’t mean it.
Your birth is in my name
but I give you no claim
to belonging.
Just the longing
a quiet prayer to keep wanting.

I cannot pledge allegiance
to a country who is not my ally
or to this failed republic
which stands against my existence.

One nation
divided beyond measure
that refuses to treasure
our children the proof
that death is preferable to truth.

And what can be said of liberty or justice?
Only that they are a dream for some
if your dreams are not in color.

Is there a future where you learn
to love me back
where I yearn for you
to have my back
where I teach you
to please look back
at the siblings – the sisters – the brothers
we left behind
their bones beneath our feet
their electric hearts pounding.
Wake up and speak their names
instead of rehearsing
and reversing blame
for that which we should all feel shame.

But do it now
while they still breathe and dance
while we still have the chance
to invoke life into this system
by the people who were broke by this system.

It’s long past time we broke this system.

Your trans friend,

Robin