death certificate requirement…

as we cycled by
a corpse
had been placed
by
the side of the road
it needed to
be counted
by
an official
who
could not
arrive
today
so
the body
was placed outside
of
the village
that
would facilitate
the count
tomorrow
since
the official
could
just drive by
to enter it
into
the records
then
the body
could be buried
afterwards
that
reminded me
of
how we vote
in this country
placing the body
of
freedom
on the side of
the road
of
personal gain
not realizing
our children
will have
to
bury the body

chains…

 

Modified Google Image

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hands
pressed against
a cold window frame
staring into the darkness
recalling those
below ancient decks
with manacled hands
and feet
the smell
of rotting flesh
the sound
of rusted chains
reverberating
a legacy of pain
and sorrow
wondering now
about the future
of those bound
to tenements
asking if their chains
are not the same
rusted chains
of despair
that still grasp
and
cut deep
into the skin
of humanity
drawing new blood
that mingles
with the dried blood
of their forefathers
a thought interrupted
by the rattle
of windows
as a train passes
on the edge
of the have
and have
nots