our universe.

you smiled like I was your salvation
and you,

you were the new world
beautiful like all my shining dreams of freedom

I wanted to put you up on my shoulders
so you might be a little closer to our universe

I knew something was wrong
the first time
my hand
to your cheek
saw fear in your eyes
fear of this place

I promised to make it better

our baby was beauty
you held her with shaking arms
and you cried because she was white
she was an angel, you thought

but soon
you held her differently
the fear was back in your eyes
you cried because she was white

I could not make you better

so, I spoke soft words and made the plans
to send you back in time

I spoke soft words and lightly took our child
out of your shaking arms

I told you not to worry

I watched our dream catch a flight home
I watched you disappear into our universe

I held our child in my arms
she didn’t cry when you left

no one has words for me and you

the child is growing
one day she will speak for us

The Gods are Fallen