Learning My Footsteps
I want to walk without looking over my shoulder.
I want to eat without looking over my shoulder.
I want to drive without looking over my shoulder.
For, when I look over my shoulder.
My first reflection is the trembling I have when I see a deputy.
My first inquiry.
Will the officer think my cell phone is a gun?
Will the civil servant judge me while I am eating a simple meal?
Will the badge pull me over for looking suspicious?
Will I have to go on social media to safeguard my human race?
Let the universe know my every footstep.
For privacy went out the door when they pull the trigger on my brother fourteen times in the back in front of the coffee shop.
For privacy went out the door when they put a chokehold on my brother for selling cigarettes.
Killing him on the sidewalk.
For privacy went out the door when my brother has his hands up and a minimum of six shots.
Took his life!
For privacy went out the door when my sister was only seven when her soul was taken in her sleep over a raid.
For privacy went out the door when bluecoat killed my brother over a busted taillight.
Killed in front of his four-year-old daughter.
For privacy went out the door when my brother only twelve couldn’t play outside with his toy gun.
Why?
They did what they do best.
They murder him!
For privacy went out the door when my sister was pulled over for a minor traffic violation and later hung in her jail cell.
For privacy went out the door when my young sister was put to death for a warrant ten miles away from her home.
For privacy went out the door when my brother was slaughter.
With a knee on his neck.
Screaming (I can’t breathe)!
While other cops watched for 8:46.
For privacy went out the door when my people are being hung in the tree.
Like my ancestor!
For privacy went out the door when I had to learn
I was not walking anymore.
I was marching.
I had to master my footsteps.
I needed to make sure my freedom was first.
Everywhere I went my security was first.
Running from the police without seeing the police.
Where the footsteps I was waking now!
Copyright © Delilah Ventura | Year Posted 2020
|