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?
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