in walls before
without realizing that strength was always in numbers
and voices
that chant
the same battle cry
in solidarity.
And when the crowd you want with you
becomes the crowd that shows up to oppose you--
it's time.
Time to rethink the next vital moments.
Time to retreat.
Time to apologize.
Time to leave
what is not broken
alone.
Because
when we, outside the gates,
become informed,
begin to think critically,
begin to ask questions,
begin to demand answers
together
we won't need to knock
with our fists
anymore.
