Comfort Tax/Illusions

Thing 1:

“Perhaps it is because we live in the 1st world

We often forget that we are not the entire world

That there is quite possibly another universe that lives

Right here on this planet. 

Maybe it is because we feel that we are “well-traveled”

And we are able to call ourselves “cultured”

Because our passports are stamped in patterns

Of beaches and popular urbanized money camps.

It may even be 

That we watch a bunch of “Travel Channel” TV

And, so, our minds weave tangled webs of deceit

Fooling us into believing 

Our bigotry, misogyny and the like is actually empathy. 

Often times, I wonder if we really feel bad

When the commercials of children in far away lands

Show morphed bodies of how starvation has robbed them

And how their drinking water is overrun with evil sediments. 

It boggles my mind how we think we’re cultured and experienced

Simply because we sip tea and can hold chopsticks 

Or because we balance on our heads in yoga classes

So we can tell our friends that we practice the highest level of Zen.

I’m not sure, maybe it’s just me and my woke-ness

But we seem to be too entitled to our “own-ness”

We want to grab all that we can from everywhere 

When nothing on this beautiful green Earth we can own here. 

I’m just…”

Thing 2:

(Interrupts Thing 1)

“You’re just asleep! You don’t even see what you speak.

Just because we live here doesn’t mean we get to be free here. 

Just because I don’t feel the ramifications of the 3rd world

Doesn’t mean I don’t live in the impoverished villages of oppressed citizens. 

I’m not sure who you speak of, but I don’t watch the Travel Channel

I’m too busy watching the demented state of my finances.

And I have no idea why the same evil sediments 

Found in the waters of 3rd world cities

Show up in the same faucets and sinks

Found in the tap water at my cousin’s in Flint, Michigan.

It seems to me that you live in a microcosm of privilege

That I could never envision

Because my vision is clouded with ramen dishes.

I’ve never made it to a yoga class

I’m usually running away from unjust brass

Firing my way in an attempt to snuff the King in me.

Sorry not sorry I’m trying to grab my freedom.

Your woke-ness looks like a deep slumber

While my people starving, struggling to keep from going under. 

Not saying there’s zero things to be grateful for

But when I’m still fighting for freedom

It’s hard to see what you see across the world.”

-Sarabi