I saw a flower
a porcelain cup of petals
white pillow feathers
draped upon a branch
light grey and blanched
with pastel green leaves
so I saw although
not so at first
when what I saw
was a used condom
My America
does not stomp.
It does not push down.
My America
stumbles
and pushes back up.
stop polishing
and presenting
hold yourself
and strike
wound the world
in the shape of your words
and heal it
in the shape of your work
