If they follow, you live two doors down.
The little blue, black, red, and purple house with the doors and windows.
Those are your friends playing in the front lawn across the street and that’s your mother watching through the blinds.
If they follow, your name is a street sign, glass case art piece, and coffee brand.
You’re as old as you look and just as smart, but not with your mouth.
You have no idea how you know exactly who you are, but they’re holding you up and you’ve got a friend, parent, teacher waiting for you.
Anywhere but home, work, practice and they’ll be worried.
If they follow, you’re as blond and blue-eyed as everyone else, but only in the mind and clothing.
You’re clueless about the state of the nation.
You voted just to say you did.
You don’t like talking about politics.
You have a strict boss who will wipe the floor with you from today to the next today if you don’t get there on time so, thank you and goodbye.
If they follow, your front door is locked.
You don’t want them in your home because their warrant is a McDonalds receipt for burgers and fries.
You’re all alone in the house and you want to see identification.
Leave the windows closed and locked. Don’t mumble or murmur.
Any sound that they think is a yes is a yes.
If they follow, you’re able-bodied, but not able-bodied enough to recruit.
You’re a caretaker, nurse, doctor, public government servant, already bound to your thin paycheck.
And oh god, how that paycheck is low, am I right?
Wrong.
It’s enough and you can live with it so there’s no need to join the murderers- sorry, law enforcement service soldiers, so good day sir.
If they follow, make a right, then a left, then circle round. Put your hands on the dash, in the air, in sight, and keep them there. You have your license and are not reaching for a weapon when you pull it out.
The keys are yours and you can prove it because you got that little keychain when you were eleven and have carried it ever since.
No sir, I am unarmed and just trying to make it to my morning shift tomorrow.
If they follow, cross the street ‘cause you want to die but not like that.
Your hands are cold but don’t you dare put them in your pockets ‘cause you’re not a threat.
You’re tired, but better to show the world you’re a person than cover your face with a hood.
You’re alert, but don’t ever have both ears covered.
You’re hungry, but yelling won’t fill your heart.
If they follow, make them pay.
Not with anger, pity, or pain.
Make them see who you are under your skin.
Don’t say a word, just look them in the nose.
Eye to eye hasn’t worked well for everyone so better not risk it.
Be tall but not too tall.
Talk but don’t talk back.
Fight but keep your feet on the ground.
If they follow, know who you are.
Everything you are.
And when the time comes, show them what they’ve done.
Show them all what they’ve done.