I went to the store and found a bottle of beer half-drunk in the stairway near the exit. What the hell, I thought, and took a swig. There was a leftover cigarette butt from somebody’s smoke break and I ended up spilling on my suede shoes. Fuck.

are you ready?
for light to shine in on your backdoor
the trinkets and refuse of living 
to show the world?
the color line has not budged an inch
now there are simply dosados
we stand where our grandparents did
we stand ready to fall ready to die 
so that we may live
are you ready? 

i have always been a very good student, always sat very still and listened, honestly listened. And took things at face value. 

what does it mean to rebel?
what do you mean to me?
rebel. 

what do you need from me?
if i can give it. 
rebel. 

ALD provides a collective opportunity to recommit ourselves to political
education, organizing, and sober analysis as our material conditions rapidly
deteriorate and the need for a viable alternative becomes more urgent.
— Read on www.charisseburdenstelly.com/blog/2-african-liberation-day

Hood Communist seeks to clarify the confusion that exists about neo-colonialism because unless we can rid ourselves of it, it will drown us. 
— Read on hoodcommunist.org/2022/05/26/african-liberation-day-2022-smash-neo-colonialism/amp/

if you love me
don’t say anything 
if you hate me
speak up
i can take it

they called me 
mute because 
of love

(this is a collaborative poem)
(between A + M)