Generally In Favor of Good Things

1.
The glorious beginnings
of our American dream
are indivisible from
the horrors of slavery
and genocide. Current
proud intentions toward
liberty and justice all
gloss over a universal
desperation to remain
blind to the chains
that still bind us
to our true and
unaccounted origins.

2.
I’m certainly not
like those others.
I am not all the things
I don’t want
to imagine I am. I am
kind and generous.
No one is more kind
and generous than me.
Really. I don’t defend
arbitrary definitions nor
condone the walls
constructed to protect
my privilege—restricting
access to the chosen
few while dismissing
others to their previous
fate (which, honestly,
is not my problem,
is it?)

3.
I like the calm benefits
of my previously arranged
position. I like to think well
of myself and am generally
in favor of good things.