On November 8th, 2016

(“a date which will live in infamy”)

I sat like a child on my bed

I had always thought myself an artist,

So I took a pen and drew a map — 

Every line

Of every state

I drew my home

And my family’s home.

My father’s side arrived in 1750

They crossed the Gap before Daniel Boone

My ancestors fought in the wars of their eras,

And so did my father and brothers.

My mother’s side arrived in 1950

They built lives

They built cities

They built corner stores and restaurants 

and dairy companies and car washes.

I made a map of the United States,

I made a map of my family tree,

I made a map of myself

And I colored it piece by piece

As the results came in

I colored it red

Like a flame, like a blood splatter,

I sat like a child on my bed

And I cried