poem | we stand

there's no eloquent way to say "murder,"
you don't need to surround it by verbs and nouns, 
coddle it with peacekeeping adjectives, 
or crush its power into the ground.

the harshness of its tone
brings meaning to the sound, 
and forces life back into those, 
whose voices you have drowned. 

there are more out there than before
who hear you cry out in vain, 
who diminish the idea of prejudice, 
at the expense of others pain, 
and stand behind all races, 
to end suffering for others gain.

the aftermath has been horrendous, 
so many shops and streets destroyed, but
we stand behind the peaceful, 
we stand behind Arbery, Taylor, and Floyd.

© Ella Levick apoeticdaydreamer.com
Instagram/Pinterest: @apoeticdaydreamer