*trigger warning: references to death, guns, murder, abuse, police brutality, and violence
A boy in a hoodie eating Skittles on the way home
gives you the jitters.
But the news reports on cold-blooded murders?
Those you’ve long been numbed to.
Kill the young trans girl-
who knows what kind of monster she’ll transform into next?
Shoot the woman playing with her nephew.
How dare she be seen in her own backyard
Gun down the children,
so they don’t have to run from the monsters
Blow up the streets,
so when the monsters break into your house, you’ll be long gone
Wipe the blood off your forehead,
It’s okay – every home houses its own nightmares
Live with him anyway,
because no one’s going to believe you
Don’t try to speak up,
your melanin does the talking for you
Cover yourself up, blend into the walls.
You’re never safe in your own skin
Arm yourself with pepper spray,
lest the ink of the night pull you in
Hold your purse close, your head low
Stay in the shadows
The monsters under your bed
Wouldn’t stand a chance against the ones in your head
Because these ones don’t scream “boo”
before they come for you.
Hotlines:
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Stop it Now! 1-888-PREVENT
Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) // 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-827-7571
LGBTQIA+ Helpline: 1-800-398-GAYS
Gay and Lesbian National Hotline 1-888-843-4564
Trevor Hotline (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR
GriefShare 1-800-395-5755
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