A Shattered Peace
A Shattered Peace
(as a privileged white man searches his soul)
A shot rang out that gave a fright
and shattered peace in dark of night.
For just a while I gave a pause
then ventured out to seek the cause.
I saw a shadow in the dark
as I approached the city park;
the cop stood tall and at his feet
a young black man lay in the street.
"He tried to run," the sheriff said;
reported crimes from which he fled.
(‘twas later found upon research,
the man was heading home from church.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I noted it to be dark red,
the pool of blood beneath his head;
a shocking moment to define,
it’s color was the same as mine.
Are we that different, he and I,
this inbred guilt which you imply?
For which he died, his only sin
‘twas darkened pigment of his skin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How many times must this repeat
these black men dying in the street?
How many times must this repeat
these senseless shootings indiscrete?
How many times must this repeat
until our bias we defeat?
‘tis in our soul the answers lie,
and in the hearts of you and I.
June 21, 2020
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