Together we hood our faces,
stuff our pockets with
Skittles and Arizona tea.
Together we lose the air
to our lungs from cigarette
smoke, forearms curled
around our throats.
Together we put our hands up,
surrender to tear gas
and rubber bullets
on the evening news.
Together we are body-slammed
in bathing suits, flipped
over school desks, strangled
from showerheads, executed
where children play.
Together we pray for peace
as strangers wave battle
flags, hide assault
rifles behind Bibles.
© 2016 Nortina Simmons
Nortina's Writing Inspiration Well 