it could have been me

steering wheel drenched in thick, scarlet blood
stuffed animals stuffed unceremoniously
in the glove box
a kiss from my son lingers on my cheek
my badge of honor, my pride and joy

it could have been me

fearful for my neighbors
and the street i live and love on
a shield for the community
in a split-second decision

a masked armed ICE agent
storming towards my car
petrified
panicked
and wanting to leave

it could have been me

i drop my son off at school
i squeeze him and he squeezes back
with the power of a full moon

a kiss on the nose for me, and now one for you…
boop

it could have been me

my voice finds the edges wrapped in anger
i am enraged
i am engaged
but now i am scared

must we choose -
silence, or a blood-stained booster seat?

or can trembling voices become the flower in the holster?
the beacon of light
a crack in the darkness of a coffin

let’s hope

before we go from boop…
to BOOM