i am not a weapon to be used
in the destruction of a people
for i was a stranger in the land
of egypt
even if my people sharpen themselves to steel points
or round themselves into bullets
thou shalt not murder
the destruction of a people
a choking silence
muffles rounds of bullets
thou shalt not use the name of
genocide
in vain
a choking silence
a temple destroyed again and again over so many centuries, so many times it’s all we can point to with our free hands while our other hands are soaked in blood from genocide
in the beginning
some of us have killed
some of us have been told
“you will not be safe if we do not kill”
a temple destroyed again and again over so many centuries, so many times it’s all we can point to with our free hands while our other hands are soaked in blood:
my people take the shards of the temple, of every country
we have been told to leave, of every house
in which we have needed to hide
and sharpen themselves to steel points
we have killed
therefore set these words
upon your hearts and souls: i am not a weapon to be used
in the destruction of a people.
Kai Thigpen is a white, non-binary, Jewish poet and therapist serving primarily LGBT+ communities. They live on occupied Lenni Lenape land, in Philadelphia, with their partner and two fluffy cats. Kai's poetry chapbook, habitat, is available from Illuminated Press.