in america
.chisaraokwu.
whenever I hear those
star-spangled sirens
browbeating my street
my head pounds.
The doctors tell me
it’s high blood pressure.
72
in america,
Suzy, Becky & Laura tell me
to get over it. “Bad things
happen to everyone.” My bruised
jaw chews on a bitter dream & spits
out blood.
in america,
my safety plan is folded
& pinned to my right bra cup
for the medical examiner
to find – in case he
is persuaded to say “She committed
suicide.” I don’t want to die