How Long Are Eight Minutes
How long are eight minutes
it's centuries-old
rusted chains
clamped to throats
whips burn-in flesh
criss-cross scars
Bodies tossed overboard
spoiled cargo
sold commodities
left hanging on trees
fresh scents
for the dogs to chase
Bones of the dead
buried beneath slave walls
after crows
have plucked out their eyes
The death of eight hundred thousand
the price of the word freedom
whispered in the North
never spoken in the South
left to vanish
in blood-soaked battlegrounds
Spit on, beaten, go away
no votes allowed
not this water fountain
not this restaurant
not this seat
How long are eight minutes
long enough to end injustice
long enough to break the racial divide
long enough for a brave heart to have acted
long enough a cruel heart grew in its cruelty
long enough not to breathe
long enough to murder, unconcerned
long enough for understanding to be born
long enough to finally be heard
6/7/20
inspired by Richard's contest
not for contest
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