Poems About Time
4-23-2021
For what felt like the first time in history, an officer is legally held responsible for killing an unarmed Black person. This should be cause for celebration, but I found I didn't actually feel that way. . .
"These Things"
"These things take time"
They say.
They say,
"These tings take time,"
Only when I am "these things"
"These things take time"
They say to racism.
To sexism they say,
"These things take time."
"These things take time"
They say to all the phobias:
Homo, Trans, Xeno, etc,
To me
To us
"These things take time"
Only means:
"I will not see you, treat you
Or allow the law to regard you
As an equal for as long as I can,
So practice patience
As I take my time."
Fuck Time
"The jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty
Of murder in the 2nd degree.
The Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty
Of murder in the 3rd degree.
The jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty
Of manslaughter"
I want to cry.
For only the 7th time
In American history
The thin Blue wall
Fails to protect one of its own.
It feels like the first time
An irresponsible, racist
Police officer is finally held accountable.
It feels like the first time
American justice
Is truly served.
I want to cry
But I cannot.
I am numb.
I feel nothing.
Am I supposed to be glad
The justice system
Did what the justice system
Is supposed to do
Just because
The justice system
Never does what the fuck
It's supposed to do?
They say,
"It's a start."
They say,
"It's justice."
They say,
"These things take time."
Time.
These things take time.
How much time do
"These things" take?
Was it unclear when the captured burned Amistad?
Was it unclear when Toussaint defeated Napoleon?
Was it unclear when Nat Turner killed slavers?
Was it unclear when Harriet Tubman led her family - and more - to the north?
Was it unclear when we fought with the British for freedom?
Was it unclear when we fought with the Union for freedom?
Was it unclear when Fredrick Douglass spat on the Fourth of July?
Was it unclear when Martin dreamed?
Was it unclear when Malcolm responded by any means?
Was it unclear when Black Panthers roamed the streets,
Defending our neighborhoods from rotten pigs?
Was it unclear when we rioted in our cities?
Was it unclear when we mourned Trayvon Martin like he was Emmitt Till?
Is it still unclear?
"These things take time" you say.
Fuck yo time!
No justice,
No peace.
No matter how long you want it to take.