A Man Cried Out
Jon Tribble Memorial Award Winner
George Floyd cried out he couldn’t breathe
While the cop maintained the fatal choke-hold.
George Floyd called out desperately for his Mama
Throughout the nightmare of almost nine minutes,
While the cop maintained the fatal choke-hold.
Passersby filmed on their phones what was happening
Throughout the nightmare of almost nine minutes.
I do repent the silence I have kept, seeing now that
Passersby filmed on their phones what was happening,
Sharing then the images with those who care to see.
I do repent the silence I have kept, seeing now in
Greater clarity the atrocities inflicted on wholly human figures.
Sharing then the images with those who care to see,
Mourners march to bear witness, having seen with yet
Greater clarity the atrocities inflicted on wholly human figures,
Finding still too many with closed eyes, closed ears.
Mourners march to bear witness, seeing with anger
Lines of riot police, who too often use tear gas,
Finding still too many with closed eyes, closed ears,
Diseased minds ignore the calls for justice with
Lines of riot police, who too often use tear gas.
But the killer cop is charged with murder.
Diseased minds ignore the calls for justice with
Condescending admissions that a few cops are bad apples.
But the killer cop is charged with murder, because
George Floyd called out desperately for his Mama,
His last words rebuking condescending admissions that
only a few cops are bad apples.
George Floyd cried out he couldn’t breathe.