We have a warrant
It says to freeze
Say your prayers
Down on your knees
We shoot them in the streets
We shoot them on sight
We shoot them in the dark
And in the broad daylight
We shoot them when their hands are up
We shoot them when they’re down
We shoot them standing up
We shoot them on the ground
We shoot them if they’re proud
We shoot them if they’re brave
We turn the cameras off
And say they misbehaved
We shoot them if they’re young or old
We shoot them if they’re gay
We shoot them when they’re standing up
And when they run away
We shoot them in their homes
We shoot them in their bed
We shoot them while they’re dreaming
Dreams already dead
We shoot them going out for dinner
And while they're eating ice cream
We shoot them during traffic stops
And remember them in memes
We shoot them on their feet
And force them to their knees
We strangle them until they say
"Stop, I can't
breathe."
They ask for help
From their neighbors and the law
But the president calls them "Sons of Bitches"
For protesting it all
The world keeps turning
Tumbling and rolling
Close your eyes
And let them rest
Keep scrolling
Keep scrolling
It’s what we do the best
Author’s Note: This is
the original version of the free verse poem I wrote “The Facts Are Plain.”
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