SometimeS

sometimes i feel happy when i see you cut avocados,
listen to Heavy D and Vaux Diop.
i heard you talking to one of your
friends the other day;
you were teaching them breath.
you gave purple nettle and mullein to her pops.

i saw you staring  out the window –
you were looking at the trees.
what did they tell you?
she knew how to speak to trees also.
i saw her too.

remember when you ask me to protest?
you put black tape on your face and held up your fist.
sometimes when i think back, i feel happy again,
like i said something good.

i watched you with him,
he had on your shoes
like you had on mine,
you were teaching him food —
and i smiled. 

by K. Osei