Now as a Future

NOW AS A FUTURE

May 15, 1970 ---Jackson, MS and Viet Nam

In the trauma of war

the Army Times told us

of bullet-riddled Alexander Hall, the killing of  Philip Gibbs,

the killing of  James Green, the killing of democratic dreams

in Jackson, Mississippi. Misrule of military law

condemned us to kill abroad to keep home safe for genocide.

And we were dumb to explain ---why are we there ---

to explain so complex a logic to our verdant selves.



We are angry and condemned

to never forget nor forgive.



After all, the white power

of insanity prevails,

does it not?

May 15, 2020 ---New Orleans

What is the profit

of crucifying Christ each year on a swastika,

of finding nada in the span from Till

to Gibbs and Green,

of telling daily nightmares begot by Americans of no-color,

of telling Breonna Taylor it’s a crime to sing a gospel song

telling Ahmaud Arbery it's a crime to inspect an unfinished house

of telling Dreasjon "Sean" Reed

and the thousands rabid racists target

it's a crime to be a pre-future cadaver?



What is the profit

of praying to nada for nada,

of shaping the sousveillance of anniversary?



Rise now to be taught by COVID-19

of limited options,

to learn from Titus Andronicus

that the only justice that gets respect is revenge.

Raise an arsenal of death-angel roses in your garden.



Jerry W. Ward, Jr.            May 15, 2020