We gather
In the promise of later.
In cut off conversations,
We rest in the
Noise and static of machines;
Imagined stories
Distracted dreams.

But it is not rest.
Rest wouldn’t leave us so restless.
Wouldn’t force us
To pump our veins
With so many fashionable stimulants.

I don’t give a fuck about your coffee,
Your espresso,
Your soy latte,
Your Rockstar,
Your Monster,
Your ethically harvested
Pumpkin spice who gives a fuck.

Y’all we are still sleeping.
Like the walking dead,
But breathing,
Barely.

When our conversations
Are filled and overflowing
Drowning in repetitive recounting
Of greed, corruption, and injustice,
With another tale of a black man
Gunned down in the street
By police
And we can’t understand why
#BlackLivesMatter
When “#AllLivesMatter,”
And nothing changes because #NothingMatters
I know we are sleeping.

Yes,
Dreaming of a world
Where
Which bathroom you pee in
Is more important than
Compassion,
Empathy,
Charity,
Understanding,
Looking out for your neighbor,
I.E.
Loving your neighbor,
Because that shit’s too hard.

Y’all we gather,
Restless,
In hives.
Isolated and conscience seared
In the promise of later,
Cut off conversations,
Hypnotized by the
Noise and static of machines;
Imagined stories,
Distracted dreams,
Unable to see we have been purposely
Put to sleep.