Rise Up, Rise Up (October 7, 2019)

Do you know

Why I'm crying?

Tears slide down

Streaking my face

In frustration.

Where walking is

Act of defiance

Against prejudice.

Which you claim

My very presence

Is causing.

As your entitlement

Base on hate

And ignorance

Is stripped away.

One layer

At a time.

Laying bare

The emptiness

Of your actions/words

Towards others.

Who challenge

Your dogmatic faith

With love and compassion.

Knowing

Freedom time 

Has come.

Therisa © 2019  

Author’s note: The following Toronto event, on September 28, 2019, inspired this poem: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2019/09/28/christian-groups-march-into-gay-village-leads-to-showdown-with-lgbtq-supporters.html