A Radical Summer
By Joel Leon Daniels
June 29th, 2026
subtle things make me feel radical
gentle with daisies i step around
the flowers indicative of my politic
point out pollutants with my freehand
shake a sanitation worker’s hand
scoop the trash with the other
move the dog over when we walk
practicing being kind to my voice
dishes washed, a clean home
the leaves crestfallen and humble
a relief to wash over your muscles
knowing you prayed to your god
made amends, mostly with self
yoga stretch on the rug, deep mantras
the 6-year-old breathes steady beside you
we inhale the spring together
be taking notes with the sun
feet dangling over the sin they send
could count the fallen bombs eyes closed
drinking in the afterthoughts
finding refuge in holding each other
one arm linked with the next one
bracing for the impact of change
making a mirror out of the hope
Joél Leon is the author of the 2025 Gotham Book Prize-nominated “Everything and Nothing At Once: A Black Man's Reimagined Soundtrack For the Future” is a Bronx-born girl dad, poet, performer and cultural critic who writes and tells stories for Black people.
His TED talk on co-parenting has over 1.6M views, and his work has been featured in the New York Times, The Boston Globe, ABC NEWS, and others.
He is a Creative Collective NYC Creative Class alumni, winner of the BCA Bronx Recognizes Its Own Award in Poetry, member of the Top 50 Waymaker Class of 2025 and author "Things I Will Tell My Daughter", and "God Wears Durags, Too" (Bottlecap Press). Currently a Creative Director at the New York Times' T Brand Studios, his work has been featured on the TED stage, the New York Times, the MoMa, Lincoln Center, The Boston Globe, ABC NEWS, and others. Joél is currently repped by Folio Literary.