Shelby Schultz

Life is a fucking talking point
when it’s hers
++++++++++and it’s lost
+++++++++++++++++++++and it’s lost on you

Calling on us to use thin blue lines
when they demarcate
+++++++++++++++and separate
++++++++++++++++++++++++++and raid our bars

To us, bars are home
To you, they are cells
To us, cells are life
To you, life is anecdote
++++++++++++++++++++in the margins
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++of your agenda

Forgive me if I raise my hand to ask
when you will do something
++++++++++++++++++++and you stop me
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++and, actually, don’t forgive me
Have you read the legislation?
The misprint?
Or even her body
stabbed and bleeding?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++As you ring from your podium,

I won’t answer your call
as Kitty’s receiver hangs, cord stretched
away from the hook.
There’s a difference between us
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++when we say,
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++I didn’t want to get involved

Shelby Schultz is a third-year Radio/Television/Film and Asian American Studies student from Dallas, Texas. Her work addresses misconceptions of public safety and the danger of the police to marginalized citizens.