i know why we are demonized

and in so many ways diminished,

stripped of our beauty, our flags,

our voices and memories

our truth to power

our power

our efficacy

and rightful anger

our raised fist

because if we were not

if me too

were the acknowledged last words on the subject

then it would be all those boys, all those men

throughout all of his story

baffled and rapacious

that would/must be the demons