Mohabir, "Why Whales Are Back in New York City"

After a century, humpbacks migrate
again to Queens. They left
due to sewage and white froth
 
banking the shores from polychlorinated-
biphenyl-dumping into the Hudson
and winnowing menhaden schools.
 
But now grace, dark bodies of song
return. Go to the seaside—
 
Hold your breath. Submerge.
A black fluke silhouetted
against the Manhattan skyline.
 
Now ICE beats doors
down on Liberty Avenue
to deport. I sit alone on orange
 
A train seats, mouth sparkling
from Singh’s, no matter how
white supremacy gathers
 
at the sidewalks, flows down
the streets, we still beat our drums
wild. Watch their false-god statues
 
prostrate to black and brown hands.
They won’t keep us out
though they send us back.
 
Our songs will pierce the dark
fathoms. Behold the miracle:
 
what was once lost
now leaps before you.


Rajiv Mohabir

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