those human actions
evolved over a lifetime
as a response to
those who have had white privilege
developed to sustain dreams
systemic racism
justice system…
race based procedures
to maintain poor’s oppression
and white’s privileges
an incomplete life…
the empty spaces
wedged between your dreams are fears
forced in by others
garland of freshly cut tears…
placed upon the street
love’s silent testimony
dried salty white wreath
left by a grieving mother
oblation to freedom’s god
vigilantes…
put him in blackface
then listen to his venom
now what do you think
should those who match his color
follow what he recommends
no good deed…
grew up
in
small
midwestern town
surrounded
by
liberal friends
and
family
so
almost
forgot
i
was
black
but
couldn’t avoid
cultivated racism
even
when
protecting
a poor white friend
with
polio
as
he dragged
one foot
being
taunted
by
neighborhood bullies
he decided
to
side
with
his white tormentors
when
they challenged
his
whiteness
he chose
to
turn on me
that’s
how deeply
slavery’s caste system
has been
embedded
in
the social fabric
of
the consciousness
of
even children
lesson
learned
even
after
a
red hot branding iron
loses
it’s
visible signs
of
danger
it
can
sear
the flesh
burning
into
the days
that
follow
tomb raiders…
like locusts
that
devour every living thing
grave robbers
have set upon
the land
they’ve come
in waves
the first
were
those
just seeking
the finest treasures
all the while
spray painting graffitii
to cover up
all the sacred symbols
the second wave
was comprised
of
magistrates
ministers of the law
seeking
personal glorification
by
possessing
those things that would
extend their power
in the eyes
of
others
the last wave
were common men
tearing
through the tomb
seeking
scraps
whatever
tossed aside
by
those
whose actions
had taken
justice
and
freedom
from
the nation
the gnat’s complaint…
these webs
are
so unjust
flies
always die
staring
into
my eyes
with
the most
incriminating looks
as if
i
were the one
who spun
this web
but
i
and
those generations
before me
have been
trapped
within
these fibers
of
lies and promises
for
centuries
had i
been born
with
more mass
i
would have flown
right through
this
social web
no more
inconvenienced
than
needing
a quick shower
afterwards
but
that is not the case
i
linger here
as
a bit of amusement
and
as
a morsel
for
a boring day
a systemic slave
the quintessential
essential worker
to be
devoured
or
left
to
just
decay
and
die
can’t sleep…
i’m just lying here
reviewing how life’s been spent
revisiting days
when decisions were made and
wondering which ones i made
self-quarantine…
i’ve begun to think
should have done this years ago
could have avoided
the imposed sins of my skin
and act like slavery’s gone
