When?

A witness- for strangers can’t see

The real me.

Invisible man

Gift or curse- 

That’s hard to see

Can I yield Baldwin’s sword-

worthy or unworthy?

The sword too heavy?

Meditation disturbed- 

breaths and mantra cease

How many lives until 

We are redeemed as human beings?

A generation’s dreams deferred-

Watts exploded in ‘65

when, will the cycle end?

Injustice- obstinate denial-

emotions explode-

repeat- repeat- repeat

When, will our blood stop dripping from leaves-

pooling at the root

of America’s poplar trees?

When, will politicians- policy makers

stop applying band-aids- 

Novocain suffering?

We are desperate to receive

A remedy for the disease

When can we stop fighting 

For life, liberty, pursuit

to be happy?

How many lives

Until we find peace?