I am 25 years old 
black female poet
wrote a poem asking 
nigger can you kill
if they kill me 
it won’t stop 
the revolution

i have been robbed 
it looked like they knew 
that I was to be hit
they took my tv
my two rings
my piece of african print 
and my two guns
if they take my life 
it won’t stop 
the revolution.

my phone is tapped 
my mail is opened
they’ve caused me to turn 
on all my old friends
and all my new lovers 
if i hate all black 
people
and all negroes 
it won’t stop 
the revolution.

i’m afraid to tell 
my roommate where I’m going
and scared to tell 
people if i’m coming
if i sit here 
for the rest 
of my life
it won’t stop 
the revolution

if i never write 
another poem 
or short story
if i flunk out 
of grad school
if my car is reclaimed
and my record player 
won’t play
and if i never see 
a peaceful day 
or do a meaningful 
black thing
it won’t stop 
the revolution

the revolution
is in the streets
and if i stay on
the 5th floor
it will go on
if i never do
anything
it will go on