18 July 2013

Guilty, Not

A hand that could curl around the handle of a gun 
and reach with the trigger finger could surely throw 
a punch up close and effectively.  Maybe not.

Racial Profiling was at play in the beginning 

and end of the action, in the "not guilty" of the verdict, 
when we were so certain of the guilt.  Bewildered.

We had such clarity that we didn't even call for

a Jury of His Peers until too late--because
who would've thunk?  Ugly. Small. Law.


Since the murder of Trayvon Martin and the acquittal of George Zimmerman, my hands have been cold and my head has been spinning.  Lyrica and Ibuprofen have been ineffective.  Only poetry has helped.  And thoughts of new ways of treating conflict proven by Nelson Mandela in South Africa.  And lots of prayer.

These poems and poets in particular have given me minutes of clarity:
(1) Velveteen Rabbit and her JULY 17, 2013  poem after Tisha b'Av "WATER FROM THE SOURCE" which addresses blessings fasting and growing while in "the fallen temple of justicemothers wailing for their sons --"
(2) Mama Zen at Another Damn Poetry Blog, where her poem "Not Yet" releases both astonishment and anger.
(3) At her blog, LaTonya's "Lobster Boil" releases both hopelessness and anger.  
       (4)  At Blog Over Easy: We stand our Ground


 
And there will be more to expand this list.
Add your links, please.


Posted at Poetry Pantry #159 at Poets United.


25 comments:

Susan said...

Here is another amazing link: "Dis-Heartened: on recognizing the disease that killed Trayvon" by Niyonu Spann, originally on facebook and reprinted with all illustrations (!) at the American Friends Service COmmittee Website "Acting in Faith:
http://www.afsc.org/friends/dis-heartened-recognizing-disease-killed-trayvon

Susie Clevenger said...

Painfully true...I still can't believe it.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

A sad commentary on how far our society has not yet come. Well done, Susan. I am amazed there were not crowds in the streets over this.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I read the poem after Tisha b'Av. It is spectacular. But it wont let me comment and I finally gave up. Thanks for sending me there.

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Susan, I wrote verse in response as well. Here is mine:
http://blackandgraylifemusings.blogspot.com/2013/07/lobster-boil.html

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Sherry, there have been demonstrations across the country and many more are scheduled for several months ahead.

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Your words echo. And I so glad to learn you are Quaker. I was a babe in fellowship. My first Meeting, I knew I was home. Meeting is quite a distance and I no longer have a car but I am forever grateful to Ann Arbor Friends.

Brian Miller said...

that we assume we will ever have justice in this world is rather absurd...we are in the end a solution to the equation that we created a product of the machine which we have created and are a part of...only when we stand up and change it...then again it will be our justice but will it be for the next?

Mary said...

You have made your points strongly and clearly, Susan.

TALON said...

It's heartbreaking that we are stuck in this place...seem incapable of changing that which has gone before.

Susan said...

I put this link above. Thank you for all your thoughts LaTonya!

Susan said...

I know. I really wanted to express my gratitude!

Susan said...

I know; I don't know.
The justice Mandela encouraged in South Africa involved individualizing each crime/criminal. It takes time and care. I pray that we recognize we have both.

Susan said...

I derive hope from the great many changes we have made, the many choices we have. We can never take justice for granted, I learn over and over. We were so certain that the court would see the evil of the gun shot, we forgot to watch the system. Let us say Never Again.

Susan said...

Thank you MARY. Thank you too for keeping the Pantry and reading the poetry we shelve here.

Anonymous said...

This is heart-breaking indeed

Brian Miller said...

yep, have you ever read no freedom without forgiveness by desmond tutu?

Susan said...

No. I've read lots of small snippets from Desmond Tuto. Do you recommend/agree?

Susan said...

I should write a poem from this.

Lisa Williams said...

The shock of a "not guilty" verdict has so many of us in turmoil. It is often said "we've come so far" but in view of this, yet another injustice, I don't think we've come far at all. A very strong, truthful piece everyone should read.

Sarav said...

An intense and emotional piece, very fitting for this tragedy. A life that could have been saved if he would have followed four simple words "Do not follow him"
heartbreaking

Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil said...

As a member of the United Church of Christ, cousins of both the Quakers and the Unitarian Universalists, I embrace pacifism. Gandhi, Jesus, Dr. King, the Buddha, and so many more had the right idea...
Here's my link, I hope this is what you wanted, Susan,
http://sharplittlepencil.com/2013/07/22/i-stand-my-ground-with-my-words/

LaTonya Baldwin said...

Have you seen this one, Susan by lolamouse:

http://lolamousedroppings.blogspot.com/2013/07/love-letter-from-gun-to-hoodie.html

TCPC said...

Justice is a long process and never gets done ironically. and the sense dawns only after the upholders of law see it otherwise. Unfortunate but true

LaTonya Baldwin said...

See today' Blog Over Easy
http://blackandgraylifemusings.blogspot.com/2013/07/poets-we-stand-our-ground.html