Cancel culture

We have done this like
forever
haven’t we?

When Anna’s cousin was
beaten to death by Mrs. Hicks
for falling asleep over
a crying child
the toll of countless
sleepless nights was not
considered – no being a
slave means
stay awake,
stay awake, stay awake
or die.
The child belonged to
Mrs. Hicks.
Of course.
The crime was falling asleep.
Not the torture.
Not the beating her dead.

We have done this like
forever.
haven’t we?

Demby ran to the river
not heeding the voice
of Austin Gore an
overseer who mastered the
whip with glee.
The river was pure and cool
and away from the lash when
the gun shot him dead.
The mixing of water and red
is the foundation upon which
America stands.

Culture is just a somewhat thing.

We have done this like
forever.
haven’t we?

The hunting of humans
leads back to the wild
where beast is the norm
and conscience is void
straddle two worlds
natural selection
and vehement use of
technical invention.

We have done this
what seems like
forever
seems like Amistad
was a miracle.

I am looking for miracles
every day miracles,
miracles as norm
since we’ve done
this like

forever

haven’t we?

2021

Remember them always from Emmett Till to George Floyd and all those who came before, after and between.. May the world change.

Historical note: Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass gives an account of the incidents in this poem.