Carolina Woman Magazine, First Prize Winner, Writing Contest

PROTESTS

FOR TAMIR RICE

his body
laid flat
against the
concrete ground,
evidence
for another life
taken.
lips that will
share sweet,
gentle kisses,
arms to give hugs
at the beckoning of
the day’s sunrise,
a strength that will
lead a nation
are all left behind
in the chalk line.
another unsaid goodbye.
and
you ask why
our feet trample
these same
grounds
with our hands held
to God’s sky
and our voices
bellowing over the
Mississippi?
It is that
we will not go
quietly away
amidst the routine
of inequalities.
we will not meander
slowly to change,
for our brothers’ lives
matter.