this place isn’t worth saving

I can’t help but

doubt my eyes

the numbers, the deaths

the neglect

the disgust

it’s been a very long time since I’ve felt like this

eyes dry longing to cry

something weighting down on my chest

falling, spiralling

Rio de Janeiro, the wonderful city,

where murders by the police never cease to rise

Salvador, the former city of joy,

its natural beauties now destroyed

I didn’t choose this

I didn’t vote for this

but the people chose this

Brazil chose this

is this what I am?

the blood running through my veins is

the same as the one of those

who fought for freedom but

the same as the one of those

who took it away

the ignorant blood

the manipulated people of

the Red Land

the ones who chose

doom

I am no saviour but

is it too hard to understand

I’m just trying to save myself

from this burden I bear

this burden I am

blood and mind

body and spirit

salvation but also

damnation