Afternoon Reflection

On Friday afternoon

The day before the rain

I went for a walk alone.

Decaying leaves

Inviting scent of wood smoke

Send shivers of delight

Up my spine.

The breeze brushes

My bare arms.

I appreciate this right

To walk unfettered.

The sway of my arms

And roll of my hip—

Do I not want this for everyone?

We the people

Walk up to any man

With no regard to status or station

And look him in the eye.

We know

Though it’s often forgotten

The most vulnerable among us

Are our greatest strength.

For their sake

We

Bow

To no one.