Stand... a poem.

Stand*

drowned in the Atlantic seas

chained and whipped on our knees

noose-tight rope, hanging from trees

blood on the ground

blood on the leaves

it seems some things will never change

bodies burned and bodies hanged

like target practice at a gun range

oh no, it's not murder

our black skin is to blame

are we yet tired of reasoning with the insane?

what do we really think we'll gain?

freedom to spend a little change?

they give us money today

tomorrow it's gone again

it's wisest to never argue with a fool

no use in obeying a corrupt rule

or voting for an oppressive tool

we cannot win

with a knife at a duel

we have no choice but to unite

to stand together as one and fight

and God Almighty stands with the right

we must not flee --

there's nowhere to take flight

with shoulders back and our pride tall

stand side by side, an unmovable wall

like brick and mortar, we cannot fall

we'll stand our ground --

they can't kill us all. 

~cdw~

02/16/14

*For Trayvon, Jordan and all of our sons and daughters who've lost their lives in "the land of the free and home of the brave."

Your Name ... a poem

Although it has taken me about 3 months to control my anger and emotions enough to write, I'm glad I waited and didn't write out of frustration. Trayvon deserves my best. And now that time has passed and his plight is no longer the top story in the media, it's all the more important that this poem publishes now.

Read. And remember. ~cdw

Your Name

Let me write your case to justice
since your neighbors ignored your screams.
Let me pen your life immortal
since a gunman stole your dreams.
Let him see your bloodied body
in his nightmares every night.
Let him feel remorse and seek forgiveness
in your mother's pain full cries.
Let us recognize complete humanity
in all black American boys like you.
Let us not accept the violent culture
that protects the lighter hued.
And let the God of justice roll like thunder
and shrink us to our knees.
Let the last be first and the first be last
for equality is not our reality.

Let your life not be in vain. 
Let us never forget your name.

Let your spirit dwell though your body is gone.


Remember Trayvon.

~cdw~
5/10/12
revised 5/17/12