A Sunny Day In October

Today, I am Jewish.
I am the darkest black, shining like ebony.
I am an immigrant from Slovenia.
I am every woman.
I am Mexican-American.

I am a Rohingya refugee, pursued by Burmese Buddhists
I am a Honduran mother with three children, fleeing political violence and my husband’s family.
I am Nancy Pelosi.

I am a homeless grandmother, forgetting which pill I am supposed to take, the cold rain blowing in my face.
I am Maxine Waters, born one of thirteen, serving the people for 42 years, shamed by a silver spoon bigot.
I am Colin Kaepernick.
I am a pregnant teenager, terrified.

I am a gay boy in Wyoming, bruised and shaking.

I am a ninety year-old poor white Alabaman, blind but franchised, unable to get to the polling station they moved five miles away.
I am a disabled journalist.
I am the land, the air and water, confidant but abused. I will outlive all of you.
I am an idea, at once noble and worthy, as yet unrealized.
I am an American.
I am not going away.
I will resist you.
Come for me if you will.
I only ask one thing.
Look me in the eyes before you shoot me.

-Geoff O’Keeffe

27:X:18