Chicago Fire of '68

I clocked out and headed for home before the darkness CAME. From the street bus, I witnessed mayhem and felt so STRANGE. Like the actions of angry people who refused to be TAMED, it seemed hope within my fellow human beings began to DRAIN. Aghast and confused at what I saw, my life would never be the SAME. Within a year, I was on those same streets trying to make a CHANGE. There was lots of anger and much PAIN. And it was clear to see that no one GAINED. And this time, there were no cows to BLAME. Moreover, few changes ever came, even after the FLAMES. The news traveled fast, but not from the NEWSSTANDS. And the horrific and fiery nightmare quickly BEGAN. In Memphis, an American hero was shot DEAD. And in Chicago, thousands quickly lost their HEADS. City after city across America was caught ABLAZE. Our freedom-loving nation was in crisis and ENRAGED. That night, Chicago became a nightmare, ashes for DREAMS. Today, we have not learned very much it SEEMS. Let's do more than loot and shoot, letting off STEAM. Catching the vision, let's live and love as one big TEAM. Let's listen to the heartbeats of the weary and the WEAK. Let's keep praying and working for the changes we SEEK. written 04192007 PS 10222017;'25 PS Condensed and revised