Some Of Us Are Still Alive

some of us are still alive;
the good ones.
the men
every morning we awaken,
the blood swirling around
warming our bones
our joints;
we make sacrifices.
we’re made a-
ware
again of our existence
we have survived
again
to wonder
why we stand taller
than the lowest of the low
yet they are the ones that get the attention.

one day you will see our pictures in museums.

one day the blood will turn cold
will freeze
our arms raised
(from begging to be noticed)
will die and break off like branches
and you and you and you and you
will wonder
where
we
went
or if we ever existed at all.


Alieux Casey