Is there an app for justice? (for Trayvon Martin)

I wrote this a year ago. I knew what the verdict would be even then. And still, I am shocked...speechless...and overwhelmed with grief for this system and any progress we thought we were making.

40 acres and a mule...

Is there an app for that?

Can justice be downloaded

And peace rocked like a baseball cap

Popped to the side or swiveled around the back?

Or would that be too injudicious?

Might look suspicious…

That hoodie head-covered rendition

Of a tragic ending

With no resolution

Can we say revolution? 

And is there an app for that?

Or at least a t-shirt

Not to wear

But to wipe up the blood

Soaked into the earth

Caked on top of Scott

Caked on top of Byrd

Caked on top of Till

On top of Bill Browns

And KKK rounds

Of seed-stripped, charcoal skin

Is there an app

With revised “Stand your ground” instructions?

Is there an app

To download salvation

For these sins?

Is there an app

To set an alarm

To remind U.S. not to do this again?

Forbidden

Seems to win

If you got the right shade of skin

And an alibi

Better yet, a little white lie…or brown?

Is there an app for those?

Like angry birds?

Tossing little black boys through sling shots

Double tap to send them crashing into caskets

And mother’s tears

Except no replay can revive or resuscitate

Cold, black, bullet-holed bodies

With taste the rainbow-stained tongues

And iced tea sweating from pores of Arizona profiling

This American cavity

Corroded to the core

Cheesy, empty grins and smiles

No longer able to cover up miles deep of

Cut off ears, fingers, tongues, little privates, & hate.

The pearly white way

Starting to decay

Still waiting for that “we shall overcome someday”

Is there an app for that?

Or does that only come with the upgrade?

Reviews

[Rob Santana]

Deep and.powerful words you've released. Unfortunately racism is still prominent. Courageous piece.

[Tinasha LaRayé]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I truly appreciated your encouraging words. It is unfortunate...we must keep moving forward, nonetheless.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

Powerful and holds so many ugly truths... well done! I applaud this courageous write.

[Tinasha LaRayé]

thanks for reading and your kind words!!!!

[Everett DeValle]

COLOR does matter or there wouldn't have been hoopla media storm of hoi polloi of the masses...I won't touch on the case because it has passed, but what I'll touch how you strongly emote your feelings on your poem...so called folks claiming they are against Rascism here don't want to relate or find common ground...it keeps perpetuating. Really deep thoughts with awesome metaphors.

[Tinasha LaRayé]

Yes - I concur with your sentiments. However, we must move forward and try to make an impact in the areas that we can instead of talking about where we can't. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your time!

[Everett DeValle]

You are most welcome. :)