Pass each bead of lead
through your fingertips
release, one by one
until flesh falls like wax.
On your thirtieth birthday
before you breathe
remember to say their names.
Each exhale exiles you from your skin
knowing that they will never live
beyond three decades, but infinity
awaits those ones who depart prematurely.
Breonna Taylor will never
Korryn Gaimes will never
Sandra Bland will never
see what becomes of this revolution.