bodies

What if we saw only souls?
 
If bodies, the least of us,
the one unlasting piece of us
were windows, made of glass, sunlit
unfit for throwing stones

What if we saw only souls in hoodies
buying goodies in convenience stores
or behind the wheel,
we would know what they were reaching for,
who they love, and how they feel
 
these bodies, they’ll be damned
if they do, if they don’t,
​we won’t change a thing
not one thing if we think that
these bodies aren’t walls
that separate, make it safe to hate one another
not one and other,
brother, there is no other
no us, no them,
no damned liberals or republicans
no “thug life” or “blacks who act white”
 
Act right, and nothing bad will happen, right?
 
Wrong.
 
Because bodies.
 
They’re everywhere.
And they’re getting nowhere
Fast
I’m scared
And it’s not enough, I know, but still
I sing and write and repeat
Like it’s etched in gold
 
What if we saw only souls.

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