Tag Archives: Tyree Nichols

THE WEIGHT OF TEARS

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The weight of water rests 

heavily upon the breast,

hiding the heart in folds

of malcontent hung 

as window-coverings 

over the soul.

Tears too many to count

mount an assault

on streets where cameras watch

murderous intention

wrapped in police action.

Sacrifices for the greater good

should not come at such cost

of all innocence lost.

Acting with impunity

in every non-white community,

sanctioned by prejudice

draped with power

in a racist shower.

The weight of water rests

heavily upon the breast.

We are drowning in it.

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LAST BREATH

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Last breaths fall all around

harmonizing without sound

on video and police cameras

lost amid the din

of self-hate turned around

decency spit on the ground

angry moves erupt in fear

calling up death ever near

the surface of inner torment

burying perpetrator with victim 

in darkest night of souls 

in human form

forgetting the best of humanity

remembering the worst

self-fulfilling prophecy

of beasts unleashed

from chains of self-deceit

hanging by a thread

of remorse broken into pieces

shards of glass 

that pierce the heart

cries of “mama” on the wind

seeing our selves in mime

shamed by how such a little distance

we have climbed

since the days when we enslaved

took land and massacred 

pushing back and down

pretending a superiority

to hide our insecurity

breathless in the grip

of tortured missteps

on the road to security

forfeiting all purity of purpose

just to breathe out rage

until no one is left

to draw a breath.

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