I see things differently
The Past
The Present
The Future
They are all the same to me
Feeling them simultaneously
Living three lives with each breath
And I can’t Breathe
Remembering everything that was done
Seeing the travesty
So much travesty
We were devastated
Yet claiming victory
Left in udder defeat
I wasn’t a witness
But the pictures
The pictures
Pictures
Conveyed something deep to me
Skin color matters to everyone
It’s the only way you know
Who to isolate
How else would you investigate
Violence is not randomly distributed
Targeted specifically
Perpetuating stereotypes
Those claiming superiority
Those maintaining democracy
That same democracy
Picture of hypocrisy
I see things differently
The Past
The Present
The Future
They are all the same to me
Feeling them simultaneously
Living three lives with each breath
And I can’t Breathe
Looking deep into this mirror
Surrounding shadows
Keeping things in perspective
I am all that I am
It is only because of the history
That was embedded within me
Living today
Thinking repeatedly
Remembering those pictures
Haunting images
Blackened body blackened
Smoldering upon that cross
Name, wisdom, love
Were all lost
Yet these men stood above
Showing exactly who they were
Keep thinking presently
Is that any different
Because the executions
They keep happening
Tearful eyes
Attempting to wash my sight
Even blurred so many concerns
Not even permitted to fight
Riding down darken roads
Lighted up, intermittent siren
Recognizing that blinding light
Right at my rear view mirrors
Intentionally to disorientate me
Protect and to Serve
The Hypocrisy
I see things differently
The Past
The Present
The Future
They are all the same to me
Feeling them simultaneously
Living three lives with each breath
And I can’t Breathe
Don’t even need to close my eyes
Dreaming openly
Allowing the future to imagine me
Witnessing things I never see
Walking past people innocently
No one clutching valuables
Doors remain unlocked
People ordering pizza
Instead of calling cops
Looking blindly
With all kinds of disbelief
This single opportunity
allowed to be free
Jails resurrected as schools
Not a single child hungry
Overwhelmed with quality food
Encouraged to pursue
All walks of life
Concentrated and Focused
Planning a full life
Walking in stores
Looking over my shoulder
No one looking back at me
Rising to a higher plain
Nothing feels the same
Even believed I was free
Thought I could end slavery
Thought I could change my last name
Freedom ain’t free
The hypocrisy