The bodies
moving forward with their eyes
on the papers
Narrowly afraid of eviction
from the land of the free
the home of the scared

Angry texts to my spouse
Apologetic pleas to my boss
concerning the delays
on the yellow line
My news app tells me of
our "leader's" convictions
and his yellow spine

Take the Arabs business
the Mexicans their fruit
Take the sand from the beach
the water from the well
Take the drums from the songs
the laces from the boots
Take caramel from the candy
the dogs from their families
Take the feeling from our first kisses
the mystery of the new day

Just know you'll never take the
direction of the passengers
on New York's subways
who don't need and
will encourage you
to keep your fear