Yes, Words Inspire and They Threaten: Change

Did you hear?

Amanda Gorman, she was questioned by a man in polyester

badges flashing, maybe sidearm and I suppose, white.

He wasn’t shy when following her, you know she is so, Black? 

Into her own building, into her own lobby, into her own home she went.

She knows her words are threatening and we’ve heard them, we agree.

Liberation, revolution, pay attention, ask the questions, Why is it that you only listen

when it’s national or capital or someone famous or something tragic? Write to me. Why?

We poets ask why. We better start to do this, write this everyday, for everyone.

Our fervor, hunger for truth, we must love her with our words and then

we’ll meet in bright Times Square or austere Black Lives Matter Plaza,

and we’ll make a giant poet out of poems: poem maché for Amanda.

For Amanda is but one of millions who deserve, demand, command our best good work, heartfelt

commitment to humanity. Don’t delay, she’s on her way to the corner store. Don’t be afraid to fail,

she is walking down the sidewalk. Don’t hesitate to roar the truth, to stun yourself, to call for help,

for every single human who is trying on a life of freedom. 

Use your words, use your words for Change.

March 8, 2021