Barrio Sonnet 55

 

just for the record
some of my best friends are white
but not like that
not the way some folks say
some of my best friends are black
but just like that
its a joke and not a joke

but to say
i am willing to sacrifice

for some of my family
that have white skin

because we love sweat and tear
together
bleed dance and get humbled
together

because their souls
are white red yellow black
songs healing

because we are
this moment

through this breaking moment
you are either

bridging or breaking

our ancestors
all mourned together
danced together
fought killed and died
apart

but this snake
is shedding its skin

and the red of our rivers
will bleed out the truth

begging
to be a mended
complete hoop