Civic Sunset

When the sun sets tonight
On this city of grace
Blue skies bleeding
Sorbet hues of lace

I’ll close my eyes
And open my heart
While each breath of hope
Leads fear to its demise.

I will dream of my brethren
Armed with the truth
Our voices in unity
Empowering our youth.

I’ll honor the valor
Of those who spoke out
Seek compassion for others
Who untruths chose to tout.

My ancestors armed me
With the tools that I need
Doused with empathy
I am brought to my knees.

I’ll cautiously exit
This comatose state
Remembering I voted
With so much at stake.

Tuesday will greet me
My children, this Earth.
With so much gratitude
For my own luck at birth.

I’ll continue to fight
For my neighbor, my niece
For justice and progress
Inclusion and peace.

For nothing in life
Or the soul’s periphery
Beats resting in the grace
Of a just legacy.

Photo: Jasper Blackeye

On November 2, 2020, I wrote my first poem “Civic Sunset” to free my mind from discord and noise before volunteering for the National Voter Protection Hotline on Election Day. This exercise reignited my old obsession with poetry, producing dozens of poems and a couple of essays, from which I hope you draw beauty, meaning, and light.