[Newspoetry] DEATH continued from Page 1

[Mike Lehman]

Mothers of black kids
Are known to warn their kids
Keep your hands on the wheel
Don't make any sudden moves
Be polite
'Cause you never know
What might happen
When Driving While Black

Everyone should be made uncomfortable
About such a rite of passage
Maybe it is time
For the mothers
Of white, red, brown, black, yellow
Any mother should
Warn her children
Be careful if you're on the street
Walking While Human

It is just enough
Every loving mother should say
To flinch the wrong way
Refuse to answer a question
Freedom of speech
Or not to speak
That is the question
Or perhaps the question should be
Do you get the death penalty?
Only 15 cops can decide
And they have you out-voted

He was just a man
No one knew him at first
When he was dead
But the cops got intimate
Like the wolf does with the sheep
Just before the blood spills

He was just out for a walk
The voices were calling him
Communing with the night
Was his comfort
When it is quiet
Peaceful
Why do they have to talk to me
I really don't feel like talking
Why don't they leave me be
I just want to go home
Not to heaven

They jumped him 
When he tried to walk past them
Hey buddy you've got to stop
Obey us or die
You're old enough to
Know the rules
The Constitution
Doesn't apply out here
In here/Out here
We are God
And God will call you home
This early morning

If you saw the sticks fall
You must be mistaken
With 15 angry cops
We killed him gently
With our great concern
For his health and welfare

The Chief says
It is not our fault
That is the only thing
I know
My guys are tired
They had to work in shifts
To beat him to death
This ain't no Gypsy
My guys won't take the rap
Serious use of force
We make our own rules
And the only thing we break
Are the bones of those
Who don't obey
Our every direction
In the street
Morning, noon, or night
We are the urban blight