The Black Room

By Breonna Keller-Robbins

We can all cry in solidarity

but will these people leave

still cradling that same solidarity

when they’re no longer faced

with the images?

I felt underdressed.

Part of me feels fine,

another part of me doesn’t feel fine.

We’re all allowed to mourn,

but why is there is a false sense of intimacy and support?

or is it a sense of false intimacy and false support?

Recognize this kind of conversation,

for there are no allowed tears in this room.

My room.

Our room.

The Black room.

People had shared their thoughts, emotions, and condolences regarding their experience in the room.

What do you do when their room is your reality?

The closer you walk the better you see,

the juxtaposition between us and them.

As the Black room works slowly,

the people work faster.