we’ve heard this before
like victims of rape are blamed
for being women
pain
forged in fire…
ancient olive tree
planted by the hands of god
man has cut you down
to fuel fires of hubris wars
forging hate’s eternal ring
as seen on the evening news…
the nation’s collapsed
into a giant sinkhole
inhumanity
no rebuttals…
living in the west
one learns to fear the silence
before tornadoes
up in the air…
how many
prophets
preach
this way
to
heaven
how many
candles
must
be lit
to
find peace
how many
silent
tears
are shed
while
alone
how many
voices
fill
night air
with
prayers
how many
cold nights
can
one heart
beat
alone
how many
prayers
are
raisins
in
the sun
dear god…
my knees are worn raw
‘tween scrubbing floors and praying
keeping hope alive
from hallowed ground…
lingering light of lost lives
reflected in moments unspoken
tears arise from the earth
for those still living
among erida’s children
