the big white building on 16th street
houses masterworks of the world.

matisse, picasso,
basquiat, wiley
unidentified igbo artist
and a cinematographer I'd never heard of.

this cinematographer made a video.
a chaotic video.

pray for paris, pray for the parents
woman shaking ass

this is a god dream, this is a god dream
man falling to the ground after an officer pulls the trigger

we on an ultralight beam
man spinning on the toes of his jordans

we on an ultralight beam
woman walking backwards to the squad car with her hands up

when they come for you, i will shield your name
father with son
"this is what the police will do. turn around with your hands on the wall"

i will field their questions, i will feel your pain
aliens rippin up the city till it's on fire
riots rippin up the city till it's on fire

they don't, they don't know,
they don't know
choirs on screen and in the speakers
biggie spittin at 17

this is my part, nobody else speak
this is my part, nobody else speak
negroes dancing the charleston
niggas doin the dougie

this little light of miiiine
glory be to god, yeah
more ass shaking, more toe spinning
more scarred, scared children

more sweaty pastors and gospel women
and malcolm before he was malik,
and the sun,
and Little Richard.
and done.

as if nothing had happened,
everyone around me stood up
and walked out of darkness.

but teary eyes and a heavy heart affected no one but me.
evidently.