EVENING VESPERS IN THE RABBIT HOLE by Peno Hardesty

i lost my right to life the moment i was born
for i had no right to food nor warmth nor healthcare
and so i died i had no right to life
i lost my right to life the moment i was born
genocide and slavery
denied my right to life because of my skin
i lost my right to life the moment i was born
born gay
born trans
born bi
your religions told me there was something wrong with me
i was a sinner
and so your hate hung me
i lost my right to life the moment i was born
it ended with your gun
the one you claim a right to

i am here now to reclaim my right to life
i reclaim my right to food
healthcare
i reclaim my right to life in the skin i was born in
without oppression
without fear of police brutality and unjust sentencing
i reclaim my right to life with the identity i was born with
free to love
free to marry
free to be who i am
i reclaim my right to life free from your gun
fired in hate
fired in anger
i reclaim my right to life in spite of your unjust laws
your religons
your guns

we are