It's Not Alright

Beautiful black woman Angela Davis Stood by herself At the 50 yard line A football crooked on a tee At her feet Waiting And she sang the national anthem To an empty stadium In perfect pitch. When her deep voice soared and hit That line about rockets and red glare There was no cheer Like a hanger swinging without a shirt. The football players kneeled Raising black fists Locked in arms While the white burly coach with a sharpened pencil Stuck behind his ear Placed his hand on the shoulder pad Of a black player who was bent beside him The Bears and Lions united in defiance. Sitting on my couch back at home Wearing my Stafford #9 Honolulu Blue jersey I quietly cried with loss And I wept for what was gained This first Sunday back to normal?