Threats of martial law
hang heavy in the air,
whispers of fear and anxiety
crawl beneath the skin.
The loss of rights—
not in one great shattering,
but in small indignities,
each cut unnoticed until we bleed.
Our own city,
our own people,
stand beneath the shadow of power,
where threats
become chains,
and silence
becomes surrender.
But I plead:
do not bow your head,
do not surrender your voice.
Stand in reason,
stand in courage,
stand for one another.
Let us answer fear with clarity,
let us answer power with truth.
Let us rise—
before all that is ours
is gone.