I have been dreading this day
since before I took my first breath
the day you would take your last
and leave us to all this
America
a home full of people and potholes
hatred and humanity
we are the dream you spoke into being
with every dissent
your words wove this life
a tapestry of hope in the heartache
of equality and equity
of change
this is not the end of your great work
but a passing of the torch
you are a star
ever burning and brilliant
may your memory be a blessing
Note: this poem was originally written and posted onto my Facebook page on the day that RBG passed away, but I updated the ending after a few days of mourning and ended up with this version. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a hell of an icon. In her own words, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” And so, we just need to keep moving forward to honor her name.
Larissa Lee 