Victoria Ruiz
Shroud
Until the night falls smoke
in flame-
fires lit in matrimonious
howl
and media is no longer
the only source
you see-
may then,
your voice
burn revolution
Say the names-
The Father
The Son.
Our daughters.
Say them until it beats
inferno from your
twelfth story
post while you bring
your deepest indignations
around to the front yard- polar
and captured while truth
chokes your breath.
And the tear
gas,
milk
looters
bus in white
Texas plate
pick-ups-
forward
into
crowd.
This is our america-
twelfth story
proud.
—Submitted on 10/02/2020
Victoria Ruiz holds a BFA in art from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a studio specialization in painting. She lives in Minneapolis with her partner and their twin sons. This is her first poetry publication.
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