RAIN (A poem inspired by the violence in Chicago)

I wish it would rain for 40 days.

I wish the killing ends in Chicago.

I wish young brothers would stop killing each other.

I wish sisters would close their legs to false love.

I wish sisters would open their eyes to self-empowerment.

I wish domestic abuse was called domestic terrorism.

I wish victims of sexual abuse had a sister name Mother Theresa.

I wish every Black girl prayed to Queen Nzingha.

I wish there were no liquor stores in the hood.

I wish we had more schools in the hood.

I wish we had less churches in the hood.

I wish we had more colleges in the hood.

I wish we had more role models in the hood.

I wish we had more Black teachers in the hood.

I wish we had more fathers in the hood.

I wish we gave more praise to grandmothers in the hood.

I wish there were no wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I wish there were peace pipes passed for every life lost in a war.

I wish there was healthcare for the sick and elderly.

I wish the mentally ill talked to Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad.

I wish mental wounds healed like physical scars.

I wish there was homes for the poor.

I wish every child in America had three meals a day.

I wish racists met the face of Nat Turner every night in their dreams.

I wish poor schools received as much attention as healthcare reform.

I wish teachers were doers, thinkers, and learners.

I wish love was an action word.

I wish every child was valued in our democracy.

I wish there was no child poverty.

I wish every child soldier in the Sudan could shake hands with Malcolm X.

I wish there were more Black college graduates than prisoners.

I wish every worker was guaranteed a living wage.

I wish clean water was free for everyone.

I wish the wealthy would spread the wealth.

I wish children from the 9th Ward were not afraid of water or rain.

I wish I could ride an African elephant in the rain, in the city of Chi.

I wish it would rain, then all the blood will be washed down the drain.

I wish it would rain, then children's salty tears will be washed away.

I wish it would rain, then afterwards I can dance with you in rainbows.

In peace,

Venus