a trans woman’s ghazal for the morally outraged
as we punish the innocent, we say, believe the children they become what we couldn’t, that’s why we grieve the children
what wouldn’t we do in the name of protecting the young? just one thing, i think: perceive the children
unbearable, the pain of watching Icarus leap for the sun so we blame the Stranger, saying they’ve come to thieve the children
unity is safety, we preach, and repression is revolution never intending to deceive the children
is it protection to teach that Heaven favours the obedient? at the end of the world, who will receive the children?
does a cage protect a bird? does it sing in praise of the bars? could it be they are not so naĂŻve, the children?
how many prisons must be built before we feel safe? at the end of the day, that’s where we’ll leave the children
my loves, even the strongest fist can’t hold a flame in its grasp freedom comes on bright wings to retrieve the children
speak plainly, Poet, they beseech me, what are you saying? i’m saying, let’s learn to listen. and believe the children
















