i have called on police
exactly once in my life
in a moment of desperation
and learned quickly
that it was a wrong
thing to do
it was the
only thing i could
think to do
i was socialized
to turn to the state
in times of crisis
not understanding
how the institution
was not built for me
civics classes did not
teach me about the power
of community
now i see that things
could have gone
so much differently
had i chosen to
reach for closer,
kinder hands
i am angry
at myself
for the disconnect
and angry at
a state which
encourages it
title from woo woo.
narinda heng 