empire wants to feel safe alonestockpiles stonesaimed at mirror neuronssees danger everywherebut never disarmsdo you rememberall the times we’ve been right hereknowing exactly enough to thrivebut slowly surrendering the gardento private cruelties, made loudevery split rock holdsone mother bent over one precious childamethyst joy, ruby sacrificeshe blesses the fragrant crownhow dare you not worship? don’t you rememberwith time they always lose this warnothing is cooler than true lovethe darkness is canal and portaland we can all be doulasrepeat after mecrush supremacy in the palm of your handand then bite down on your fistthe new world is coming through youbreathe in, yesnow screamShareadrienne maree brown is a writer, editor, activist, social justice facilitator, coach, speaker, and doula. Her books include Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, which she wrote and edited, and Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction Stories From Social Justice Movements, which she co-edited. They are a YES! contributor, and the creator of YES!’s exclusive collective column “Murmurations.” Connect: Twitter/X LinkedIn