- Joined
- Feb 5, 2021
a word, please.
a word is just a word.
is just a word.
is just a word.
is --
not just a word.
not once it’s been heard.
it becomes a belief.
a reason for someone’s grief,
fear, confusion
causes actions:
a sign on a restaurant window:
“Chinese not welcome here.”
a slur on a car door:
“f---ing chink. go home. disappear.”
a clenched fist meets her back, her arms,
her face.
get out of our United States.
her face.
her face.
her.
face.
a face coughed on.
spit on.
kicked on.
disinfectant, sprayed on.
acid, splashed on.
knife, slashed on.
no, no -- you’re right.
you weren’t holding that knife.
how could you have known?
how could you possibly know
what a word could do,
unless it was said
about you?
how could you know
that negative comments
about people of Asian descent
increased one hundred sixty-seven per cent
a week after a word was said.
now, it’s too late to take it back.
now, we’re just barely keeping track
of over a thousand reports
of discrimination.
and counting.
and that’s just counting
the ones that were reported.
what about the ones that were left unsaid?
how many thought,
this can’t be happening.
and if it is,
should i even say anything?
i’m just grateful to be here.
so what actually happened?
how could you know?
how could you know
what it feels like
to call your parents,
not just to talk,
not to ask them,
hey, how was your walk?
but to ask them -- please,
don’t go outside.
there’s something happening
worldwide.
Mom, cover up.
not just your nose, your mouth,
but your eyes.
your hair.
your voice.
you.
hide.
everything about yourself.
don’t let them see you.
don’t let them recognize you.
this virus does not discriminate.
people do.
but hey.
it’s just a word, right?
how could you know
what a word could do,
unless it was said
about you?
unless,
you were me.
then,
maybe
you’d
call it Covid-19.
what will you say
when you can’t say
you didn’t know?
