Coffins are not carpeted
they’re not for standing
Linoleum is useless
as the imagined dreams,
some believe they’ll be having.
The padding is for comfort
to those left standing,
Imagining death’s visions
going over the width,
linoleum’s length and pattern
hoping for a like padding.
Maddening.
How many comrades
died for standing.
For them
do more than stand.
the padding useless as
linoleum in the streets.
Where some are taking back land
because coffins are not carpeted
we must more than stand.
Ayat Bryant-Jalal