tiki torches and yarn
can be bought at the same store
one for summer, backyard barbecues
the other winter, holiday snuggling
one bears heat, destroys
the other holds it in, protects

the bearer of the latter takes her time, crafts meticulously
shares her gifts with friends
to wear in solidarity, a signal to others of reason and love

the former’s alights it quickly, shares without thought
needs no hood nor signal for his message of hate, of fear

but fire can illuminate
and yarn can choke
pussies scratch
and racists learn

the question is:
what are you buying?