Conversations With Four & Five

I have daughters who look up to you

as if you’re some dashing hero

Your godlike prowess doesn’t stop

you from killing us-

it doesn’t hide the fact you’re terrified

Five and four and I have to be

the one to tell them that

they don’t like us because

We are Black

Their eyes light up when they

hear those sirens, saying-

Mommy do you hear them-

with dimples and blue eyes

staring right back at me

But you are killing our people

and I have to be the one

to take that shine away

all because you don’t change

They have to realize someday

that not everyone is meant

to be your hero