Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina , its 5:27am. I woke at 4:10, tossed and turned until about 4:40, got out of bed, peed, turned the coffee on...

and you are on my mind
and I can't shake what has happened
and all I hear is a scream in my head
                                                                      Why? Why? Why?

the pain and confusion will run deep
long after the blood stains are attempted to be washed away
the experts and pundits and ratings-hungry news people
will attempt to explain through tired words and labels
what can not be explained

horror and evil have no names
explanations are nothing but folly
it is their images burned into our minds and hearts
which no tears no matter how many 
will ever allow us to forget 

why couldn't you speak to us evil shooter
do you see the whole world mourns what you have done
you spoon fed yourself all the lies
paid over and over and over again
generation after generation keeping each alive

come on!
we can not any longer be part of the lies
it must be said
                                                                      RACISM
                                                                             IS
                                                                       ALIVE
in our good ole
                                                                       U. S. of A.

I sit along the water's bank
our collective tears raising the tide
it too is now a summer evening
just before dark
maybe tonight all sorrows can be tucked to bed
in hopes of capturing a few fleeting hours of peace

a kingfisher is proudly perched staring back
reflecting the setting sun's golden rays
Charleston you stand up
                                                                     MIGHTY
                                                                     STRONG
                                                                     ALIVE

you nine saints are crying out a collective plea
evil and hatred and ingrained racism and bigotry will not win out
victory is ours and peace is the healing balm to all
willing to see the glorious light of creation
possessed in every single life

do you hear Charleston cry for us
do you hear the crying out 
the collective plea
do you see the light of creation
possessed in every single life
                                                                      IN
                                                                      EVERY
                                                                      SINGLE
                                                                      LIFE