for George Floyd: fire

A poem by adrienne maree brown

As we relive our collective memory of George Floyd’s murder last summer through the ongoing trial of Derek Chauvin, we contend, yet again, with the callousness of white supremacy. Floyd’s murder touched a chord that resonated across the world, in a global uprising in defense of Black lives. Today, those demands for systemic change persist in the wake of ongoing violence.

We find solace in this poem by adrienne maree brown, written at the time of George Floyd’s death, reminding us of the promise of emergent change — change she describes as both “terrifying and beautiful.” We hold on to the vision of a new season of justice — for George Floyd — and for all who have faced — and continue to face — the violence of white supremacy.

have you learned nothing from sunsets
flaming the entire sky with soft edges
fuchsia periwinkle whisps,
taut and temporary nature taking day,
inhaling light

have you learned nothing from autumn
blazing the earth with gorgeous death
burnt orange kiss-red fragility reaching
last chance for the sky, floating, releasing,
exhaling life

have you learned nothing from war
inferno dappled muddy hose water, puddled
green edged flames of files, photos, losses
our battleground wherever you make us
defend life

have you learned nothing of justice
the deep ever changing heart must breathe
the fire in our veins needs oxygen,
do not unleash us if you don’t want to burn
we’ll keep choosing life

have you learned nothing of love
you on your knees but we the ones praying:
let us never give up on each other
even when grief is the only match for the pyre
we honor life

it is the end of a day, a season, a way, an era
the change is tumult, terrifying and beautiful
we will never be convinced to be expendable.
alchemize every death system, liberate
our divine lives

— adrienne maree brown