poem for my white transgender twelve year old son, thinking of twelve year old Tamir Rice shot by police while playing

poem for my white transgender twelve year old son, thinking of twelve year old Tamir Rice shot by police while playing

so much
topples
around us:

businesses
schools
the police state (maybe)

this morning
i’m noticing the birds sing
(they still do!)

i am celebrating quietly
that you chose to live
because honestly

that is the most revolutionary
thing i have seen
in a long while:

you breathing softly in your blankets
as the sun inches up
in a world

that at best calls you names
and at worst (maybe just average)
steals that breath

you are my revolutionary hope
my prayer
my promise

that the police state WILL topple
and all the sweet 12 year old boys
will breathe easy in their beds

that 12 year old Black boys
will not be deemed threats
and that you will always

remember what it feels like
to be treated as a menace
and defend your brothers

against your own
skin privilege when necessary
(because it will be necessary)

i pray for the day
all parents can stand
over messy twin beds

grateful their child sleeps safe
and not have to qualify like i do:
for the moment

and not have to fear
the birdsong
and the glorious riot of morning