Today a man died
and as the bullet flies
three hundred forty miles away
children run for their lives
One thousand miles still
two weeks to the day
two children were killed
as they kneeled to pray
Then double the distance
in 2018
despite all the warnings
the deaths were obscene
Now thirteen years passed
and a thousand miles further
a billion charged
won’t undo twenty-six murders
And who could forget
1999?
When thirteen were killed
at Columbine
So forgive my candor
about the man who was splayed
given he advocated
for stoning the gays
Deaths are acceptable
he spoke it so plainly
and now he is dead
and oh so profanely
How to be civil?
and how are we safe
if the policies from power
have a basis on race?
They lower their flags
I call out the score
You might call for peace
but they call for war.
Shadows Above 