take cover

i recognize it:
the slow burning layers in the air,
the lingering pedestrians gathering supplies,
the stillness.
take cover, take cover.
those of us who have been here long enough
only need to step outside,
to know that it's the wrong way.
take cover, take cover.

at some point as i lie
beneath my covers,
the flakes will burry
our ashes & disaster.
letting us forget, for an hour or two,
that we're black & marred,
shamed into taking cover.