Democratic Obligation

By Danielle Hazart

everyday, it starts again

sun risen in a bloody sky

brazen orange so red, it hurts

i gotta go to work

brave the gall of guns

pay mind to no one

death surrounds me

i gotta go to work

i clutch my spotted chest

each cough bombards me

onslaught all around and inside me

i gotta go to work

i carry my brother with me

he’s not heavy

he is always with me

i gotta go to work 

through floods of fire

through pyramids of pavement

i find a way

i gotta go to work

lie after lie

raised hand, then smile

knowing torments me

i gotta go to work

if for nothing else,

something else,

anything else,

until then, i rise then ready again

because i gotta go to work

By Danielle Hazart