inauguration

crowds gather
fists pumping
air hot with rage
and fear

when will it get better?

signs waving
parade marching
eyes up front
arms locked

oh god

hoses turned on
toppling bodies
arms, legs, tangled
whose is whose?
thump
whack
wood on bone
blood and water
in rivulets on steaming pavement

all we are saying is give peace a chance
we shall overcome

someday
somewhere over the rainbow

hope a mere whisper
a vague soundtrack
to the chaos

oh god oh god oh god

i have a dream


when will our dreams come true?

so much blood
so much death
hanging in trees
floating in rivers
some never found
buildings burning

explosions interrupting
amazing grace
gunshots
still the organ

tell me it’s just a dream

people marching
masses gather
ghosts hover
demons linger

crowds a patchwork of color
armani suits and blue jeans

hope a whisper
gaining volume
reaching courage

parades
no hoses
anticipation
tension
no snipers on the roof

memories haunt
nag
pull
at buoyant hearts

i have a dream

someday

a man
chestnut skin
right hand raised
left hand resting
on a volume of struggle
violence
bloodshed
sacrifice
relentless dreams

“i do solemnly swear…”

it is a beginning