In Honor of George Floyd

Prompt #13 untitled

Relief Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

The unknown
sits with hope
as very few
of their words
are recognized
through the veil
of their differences.

They failed to perceive
the forgotten failures
of the invisible lives,
when they are held
beneath the surface
unable to breathe.

When hope drifts in
on the winds of change
sorrow is replaced
by relief in the streets
and our sadness
turns bittersweet.

Today’s verdict of guilty brought such relief. We were preparing for the worst.

That we could even imagine a not guilty verdict in the face of such clear evidence of guilt shows how deep the expectation of racism and inequity has become.