There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of distant voices
singing with enthusiasm in churches long ago,
four part harmony proclaiming love while people of color
watched white folk sit at the lunch counters.
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of distant voices
giddy because frocks, shoes and jewelry were purchased
and the people of color sat at the back of the bus
after pressing white girls’ dresses.
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of today’s voices
in posts, tweets and TV interviews searching for peace and justice;
and the President mocks people of faith with a photo-op Bible
as George Floyd’s spirit moves a nation.
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of today’s voices
on streets across this nation, “I can’t breathe!”
The police shoot rubber bullets. “I can’t breathe!”
Seats of power threaten to silence Americans. “I can’t breathe!”
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of breathing –
in and out as my rib cage moves, the cadence of life.
George Floyd is still. History repeated.
Freedom more rhetoric than practice.
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of silence
by the privileged who know the price paid for their wealth.
There is a ringing in my ears, the steady hum of silence
by churches never confronting bigots in their midst.
There is a ringing in my ears. I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe. I CAN’T BREATHE.
Silence.
