POWER

by Marguerite Guzmán Bouvard

                        for Colin Kaepernick

            1

We walk into a protected natural reserve   for native Hawai'ians,

a narrow path between  trees  and boulders   with the sound

of the distant surf,   then come upon  a blond woman

in an electric cart.  When she sees  the surprise

on my face, she says, We own this, the ranch

up the mountain.

            2

There is a mirror  where only one  image

flickers  with its own colors  and shades

and there is only  one language  only

one way  to honor  the Creator.

            3

The football player  kneels  during

the national anthem,  kneeling to honor

his soul  to honor  social justice  and the color

of his skin   that too many  disdain. 

* * * * *

Marguerite Guzmán Bouvard is the author of 11 poetry books, two of which have won awards and 15 non-fiction books concerned with human rights, women's rights, social justice, illness and more. She was born in Trieste, Italy.