Catch a Bullet
by Tanya C. Tyler
If I could catch a bullet between my teeth
I would send it back to the
place from which it originated
where people believe we came to
wreck rather than rectify
grab rather than grace
We are a kidnapped nation, abused
robbed, raped, tossed aside, then
forgotten, that is until we remind
we are still here, not as ghosts of
those you will not see but
flesh in the sun, moon, night and day of life
over death…we are still here
If I could I would catch a bullet
between my teeth
for every person who believed we were
burdens on a system that vilified
other nations for its own gain
for everyone who believes we should
go back to where we came from in order
to shut their eyes and ignore, deny, decry and
disappear the shame of their crimes against Black
humanity birthed here…
If I could catch a bullet between my teeth
I would use it to graze the hearts of all the
hardened and practiced racists who have
taught their generations to continue sowing
seeds of hatred, brutalization and murder
against a nation that built this nation in blood
I would use it to eliminate the ease by which
they can offend and defend words, actions and
preconceived notions that accelerate the death
tolls for those of higher melanin count.
If I could catch a bullet between my teeth
for every man, woman, or child who suffered
for a happenstance of birth, who learned to
cower in the day and night, crouch for their
very lives face down in the shame of self-hatred
ashamed they are so Black and blue
I would shoot arrogance and superiority of birth
between its rocky legs to castrate the
beast in all its glory
If I could catch a bullet between my teeth
I would use its power to honor my ancestors and
tell them that their sacrifices were not an abject
failure
that their spirits still toil from the mantle of hope
that their memories still inflame and
drive the thought of freedom
yet to be attained in a land that is stubborn and
proud of its misdeeds
but, will soon topple as the proverbial baton
has been passed to the
strong and determined young hands breathing
and striving to live the dream
If only I could catch a bullet…
Copyright © 2020 by Tanya C. Tyler
