'When I Am Killed in America', by D.M. Rice

Call it a lynching

When I am killed in America
know that it was eugenics
understand that it was genocide
that I wished for something better

When I am killed in America
do not mourn
fight—like hell
, as if our country
were soon to disappear
into concentration camps
and extrajudicial sanctuaries
of state-sponsored
terrorism

When I am killed in America
it will not be an accident
, so call it what it is
; even if I die by my own hand
call it a murder
call it a pogrom
call it an extermination campaign

When I am killed in America
rise up—with the sureness of the sun
and know they are coming for you, too
ready or not!

When America kills me
do not turn away
never forget
know that this is not the world
of appearances, of sentiment, of abstraction

Call it a lynching.

D.M. Rice is the editor-in-chief of Sybil Journal. Their debut release, Moby Pussy, is available here.