If I’ve Been Asleep
by Jace Daniel (b. 1969)

if I’ve been asleep till now then
just keep me down
for I am off color
inappropriate, adjacent to
the branded shade, complicit
shame.
if I’ve been asleep till now then
just keep me down
my nightmare of accountability
and common sense
will be ruined by crime
and its sympathizers
tossing, their guilt
their
pleasure.
if I’ve been asleep till now then
just keep me down
for I am off color
do I,
myself, want to learn that hues
matter?
if they do not match my
own?
what must I unknow to need this
newsflash?
if I’ve been asleep till now then
just keep me down
but no promises, I might just take a peek
without moving
when nobody is looking
just know, I know that you’re there
keep quiet
please.
I’ll be resting here,
cancellation is postponed
for now, I haven’t quite let you
die
and we’ll live our days like
that
with our
unsaid truce
and it’s nice enough to
make a man
care, but i don’t
care, do
you?