Bursting
Inside
Concept un-rare
As ideas
Expel
An era unfolding on hatred
Displayed
Flag on pole
Unfurled understanding
(No miss to it)
We heard what they said
Knew how they felt
Newly exposed
Technology helped
Spread ideas old as civil wrongs
It’s over
It’s over
It’s over
The jig is up
Maybe
I venture outside
Today, tomorrow and the next
Pray differently
Instead of protection from police
Prayers for peace
Instead of bated breath
Prayers for rest
Stress, animosity behind
Pasted smile
“It’s all right”
Hope held up by aging hands
Underlying
Sorrow
Tears
Bursting
For a country I thought had changed — even a tad
Now I know
A respite
A slight respite
So much more
Work to do
Breathe for now
Words push through
Seep onto pages
Careful now
Heart beating
A little slower
Blood flows
A little quieter
Tears dried
For now
For love for life
For progress
For hope
For a child’s future
Bursting.
