Enraged.
Voices raised in anger, solidarity,
and in protest of that no person should have to face:

misogyny; violence; anti-Asian hate.

Vital lives, already shaped by stereotype and stigma,
everyday sins of a multidimensional world
in a country formed by immigration

and promise.

Ethnicity. Here, in a multi-cultural city.

Diversity and inclusion once a dream,
now a tagline or social media hashtag
nobody seems to pays attention to;

except the haters.

Now speaking out, speaking up over damage
already done; the words and the guns.

‘Fuck your bad day’

Time after time, crime after crime, hate
is a virus we are unable to isolate ourselves from.
Information and understanding is not enough
to inoculate fellow human beings.

They protest. More should.

We are not in this together; some have to stand apart.

We all have our reasons.

What’s your excuse?
What is your explanation?

© 2021 j.g. lewis