The barista takes our order 
I order Americano coffee 
No cream or sugar 

Shake snow from my gloves; a black waiter 
meets my gaze, nods.
I settle in, observe the rules, and offer an ear.
Listen to Friesian stallions and braided lilies
Listen to teacups clatter and nostalgia roam.

Steam curls past the lip of my mug 
toward a homeless man asleep,
skin pressed heavy against metal grates.

In the distance sirens wail
heading to a block 
on the other side of the glass,
picture mothers’ crying and chalk lines.

A cough punctures the air,
faint patchouli lingers,
eyes lift and survey.

I’m snapped back from prayer
my name is offered up,
certain for a second time,
to read.

I unfold my poem,
written in deep crimson.

Ode to the Slave Who Dared to Read

You smuggled knowledge like contraband,
beneath ribs and bloodied cotton sleeves.

You turned pages
In the shadow of gnarled trees,
Nooses still hanging, chains clinked,
and overseers counted lashes…

Fingers fidget, heads pivot 
chairs scrape, brows furrow 

Someone critiques,
I wanted the poem, 
to take me to a happier time,
not to recount the past.

Where are the cats lapping up milk?
Where are little yellow raincoats?

Hear my grandmother
whisper deep from within,
don’t forget me 
in front of company,
as I take a sip from my cup.

I clinch my paper tighter
My shield 
red ink, fire-bold
My sword 
I give glory to my ancestors. 

Lift my poem to the light
like a messiah, 
its wings spread wide.

This history isn’t optional

I write…
because
I can 

Aaliyah El-Amin, based in Prince George’s County, MD, is passionate about capturing the human journey through words, inviting readers on a shared experience. She is the founder of the writing collective You Are Write Here. Her works have appeared in Center for Creative Writing, Artists of Maryland, Maryland Bards, Creative Currents, Reflections Magazine, and Neopoets anthologies. A recipient of the Right On Funniest Poem award from Loudoun County Public Library and a participant of Washington, DC’s Cave Canem workshop.


RETURN TO SPRING 2026 ISSUE OF REBEL'S ZEITGEIST