in normal times
i would’ve walked up to the porch when she called out to me
and with all my teeth and good manners said
ma’am
because she’s my elder and because respect and
because my mother is Black and
because my grandmother is Black
and because just because
but these are not normal times
so i keep my distance
and make space enough for us to
both feel safe
cared for
loved
in these not so normal times but
instead of walking away
having only mumbled a hello she probably
couldn’t hear because
the distance is not normal
i turn
i open my body in her direction
and i care bear stare her
projecting my heart and my voice
showing my teeth and good manners
i say
MA’AM
loud enough so she hears
warm enough so she feels
safe enough so she lives