they came in chains
as slaves
they have citizenship now
it does not protect them
they live in fear
did you check the car?
check the car
a hundred times
before you go
to the store for groceries
any broken parking light
could mean a summary execution
if you see a cop car
pray
pray
the angel of death
may pass by your door
this time
practise
'hands up'
in a nano second
wear
padded protective clothing
in areas
where jack boots are
likely to land
to soften the blows
lower your eyes
if questioned
say
'sorry sir'
to everything
you live
my black unicorn darling
with constant anxiety
in fear
fear for your children
thank you
for telling me
what it's like
we
all need to know
a black president
made no difference
the fact
you have defended your country
in the armed forces
means nothing
it will not protect you
your chains
were never
really removed
the home of the free?
(chortles )
most certainly
if you're white
Midweek Motif Poets United
Pow! Wow. You've captured what the contemporary revolution exposes--I hope you publish this poem widely. When I and other's of European descent who claim citizenship in the USA and elsewhere finally "get it" we can begin to dismantle the structures that keep life so completely unequal and unjust.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased you took this view. I was a bit nervous about backlash but I had no choice really. You ,,,publish it widely. I'm reclusive. I have no idea why this person chose me to voice it...probably because i'm fearless when it comes to mouthing off:) but the next bit is your domain.
DeleteI've been working with two groups to further the cause and to support Black Lives Matter. White supremacy is insidious, hard to expose and--to me--surprisingly hard to erase. (BTW: Who is t.lemon@bigpond.com, and why do I get emails from her rejecting comments from me that you clearly receive and don't reject?)
Delete?. I have no idea.!
DeleteNo easy solution for a world at peace.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to talk about equality but so difficult to achieve.
ReplyDeletetrue...true...
ReplyDeleteYou gave justice to the voice of your friend - and the cause of all those subjugated by the 'dominant' forces in our society..i think the stakes are higher in a land of guns and shoot to kill but everywhere the world seems to need a scapegoat - a black unicorn- i see the transportation of Syrians to camps everyday on the news..the word death is missing (of course).. but it is there...if not of body..of soul and humanity
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely incredible.
ReplyDeletePowerfully written.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
Wow Rail, this is powerful. I wish more could read it.
ReplyDelete***
I wanted to thank you for your comment on my chat with Sherry. It touched my heart and I want you to know it's my honor to know you - the intelligent, thinking and sensitive woman that you are.
Oh Myrna...thank you. I will be smiling all day today:)
DeleteBang on. Ex-freaking-actly.
ReplyDeleteLove your neologism....LOL
ReplyDeleteWow..that packed a punch.. real and relevant. We all need to hear voices like yours so much.
ReplyDeleteRall, this is great. The tide is still rolling, if and when it peaks, I can only hope it washes away all the filth. Keep fighting, keep pushing as more mass starts to ride the wave...as there is no freedom when there is even one person who doesn't feel safe and accepted.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in this message as aneeded Afro-American male, I can't tell you how moved i am that so many outside of America empathize with our plight. Reading this wonderful poem and the positive feedback in the comments restores my faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thank all of you. Especially you, Ralls. If I were a stronger swimmer, I'd swim 8000 miles to give you a hug. :)
-B
Some are more equal than others... So much hypocrisy!
ReplyDelete