The Tree Honors

a poem of appreciation

The tree honors the contribution
of each part 
of the whole.

The leaves do not mock the roots 
for hiding underground.

The trunk does not chide the leaves
For their flamboyant movement and color.

The roots do not dismiss 
the sacred work of trunk, 
holding them all together.

It is simply a colonized mindset
that looks too closely,
sees scarcity,
and misses the bigger picture.

It is simply a colonized mindset
that forgets because our movements
for freedom 
are the same movement
for freedom
we cannot help but support each other
in everything we do.

It is simply a colonized mindset
that thinks each person
must show up 
the same way
at the same time.

Black folks lit a match
when we screamed, We can’t breathe
and ignited the long awaited
compassionate response, 
Your life does matter.

If black folk are resting now
it is only because 
the unions
are preparing coordinated strikes
for May of 2028
and the spirit of rest must blossom 
now.

If black folks are farming,
not protesting,
it is only because their bones call them
to remember how to grow food with 
love and not force

so we can feed each other 
when we lay down our work.
 
It is not that black folx 
are not standing in solidarity 
with Palestine,

Black Folx 
are working the magic that will be needed next:

rest as resistance.

We weave this knowledge 
into the collective consciousness
for you. 

The time will come for us to 
put down work
and stop funding terror  
by grinding for the machine.

Folks must have the knowledge they need 
in their bones
about how to rest

when rest becomes resistance.

Many are not with you in the streets 
now 
because they are busy 
being drug 
by the throat
behind the speeding truck of capitalism
and they are raw and bloody
in their own way.

Our work is interconnected
so black folx are weaving you a quilt
to tuck you into your rest
so the human body 
can rest 
En Masse
at the opportune moment.

It is a colonized mindset 
that thinks each contribution
must be made 
in the same way
at the same time.

The tree honors the unique contributions
of all its parts.

The leaves who gather sunlight and wave hello to the world.

The trunk who holds us all together.

The roots who mingle and network underground 
sharing and trading 
So we all have what we need.

---

Photo credit Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash