We Set Fires at Night

As a rite for the black and brown lives you make light,

We set fire at night.

For every brother, sister, father, and mother you smite,

We set fire at night.

Until we are more than hindsight, but foresight and insight,

We set fires at night.

Because you rewrite history for the white knight, painting him in good-light.

We set fire at night.

Because white is synonymous with right,

We set fires at night

Because our plight isn’t an oversight but a deliberate slight.

We set fires at night.

Because you’ve denied us of every human right,

We set fires at night.

Until the system is set right,

We set fires at night.

Until we can walk in daylight without fright,

We set fires at night.

Until we receive life’s birthright,

We’ll set fires every night.