My America
Ruby Ha
My America begins with my hand on my heart
My heart swearing its allegiance
A young heart beating
Beating to the sound of a nation
Beating to the dream of becoming the secretary of education
Or maybe a lawyer
Or maybe a professor
Or maybe a chiropractor
Crack!
Go the bones
The bones that readjust to the sound of reality.
My America continues with the sound of a bang!
Bang!
Goes the gun.
The gun that shoots down the dreams of children in the hallway.
The gun that makes me drop down to the sound of loud noises.
The gun that shoots a mother in a Walmart.
Bang!
Goes the gun.
The gun that shoots down
the unresisting black man at the traffic stop.
The gun that seems to be the only music at concerts
Or the only catchy rhythm at bars.
Bang!
Goes the gun.