I tend to be doing tributes nowadays.
Issues like social justice, citizenship, truth and fairness continue to inspire my literary pursuits.
This afternoon while I was starting my computer I heard the song, Mary, Did You Know, only the name wasn’t Mary but that of Trayvon Martin’s mother. I went ahead and wrote this poem for Trayvon, his mother, and the rest of us who care. You’ll realize I’m not trying hard to be original. Just using the canvas that’s already available to me.
Did You Know
Sybrina, did you know
that your baby boy would one night walk out of your reach
and not return
did you know that your baby boy would lose his life in cold blood
in your heart, did you know the night he died
did you hear his cry before he screamed for help
a cruel man following him to his end
that child you delivered, held in your arms and said angel, my angel
has come to make you old as the hills
did you know he would soon be murdered?
did you push away your food,
did you pull your hair, did you wring your arms
did you say, no, oh, no, it can’t be true
my angel boy is still alive.
Trayvon, did you know
that your blood would flow before you turned 18
did you know what you’re worth
did you know that death would kiss your baby face
the night you walked to your father’s lair
did you know that seven-eleven would be your last grocery stop
that your hood would be your doom
your screams return to you without the help
Trayvon, did you know
that your head would be dead on the cold cobblestones
to plead for justice the jury would seal you
in forever why
did you know, oh, oh, did we know a perfect lamb, a sacrifice
would die for all of us so we could know your worth
do we know, oh, oh, oh, do we know what you’re worth
do we know, do we know
2 Responses to Trayvon, Did You Know…