I am relentlessly taking care of myself
joyful and confident
relentlessly breathing
relentlessly feeling
relentlessly breathing
relentlessly feeling
and today
feeling sad, angry
to see one of you killed
out of pure hatred
to see some who look like me
never being made accountable
for their ongoing crimes
inspired to see
some who looks like me
standing up between
some who look like you and
those in charge of protecting
all of us
all of us except those
who look like you
who were forced into slavery
who are native to this land
who are targeted for being nonconforming
I am relentlessly taking care of myself
relentlessly breathing
relentlessly feeling
in your name
in the name of all those
who were/are viciously killed, abused
brutalized, robbed, invisibilised
relentlessly breathing
relentlessly feeling
until my healing also means yours
and to make sure of that
I will tell your story
and the story of those like you
to my granddaughters
I will teach them how to call upon
our wise, healed and caring ancestors
those who have seen, experienced so much
who are invested in the healing
thriving of All there is
for their guidance
on how we can
make a difference
how we can pray
how we can show up
until your healing becomes ours
in memory of George Floyd
mari.e cornellier 