(Summer 2025 ICE raids and U.S. military occupation)
after Marina Tsvetaeva
They took quickly, they took forcefully,
took the street vendor and the day laborer.
They took our mother, and took our brother
from us, aunties they took also and neighbors.
They took the farmworker, and they took the strawberry picker.
They took the PhD student and took the professor.
They took the patient, and took the nurse
they took the books from us, and took the words.
Diversity they took and equity they took.
They took family and friends.
But worse than taking home on earth from us
they won the battle for our spirits and minds.
Food they took from us, they took our water
clean air they took, and freedom too.
But while we continue to care for and protect each other
the whole city is still armed.
