Civil Rights by Jennifer Pester - 1st place Poetry Winner (Tie)

Civil Rights

1st place Poetry Winner (Tie)

by Jennifer Pester

I see you, little black boy

from forty years, a gender barrier, and a race away

I see you fall

their fire horses plummel your quivering body

the water pressure

one hundred pounds per square inch

its turning your mocha skin bloody red

and still, the color is too much

too much for you to eat in their restaurants

too much for you to ride in their busses,

walk on their sidewalks, drink from their fountains

now, after everything has changed,

still too much color

for most white folks to let their baby girls

be your baby too

your body tumbles over the rough pavement

thrown around by the relentless needles of water

as if mere water could wash away your humanity

disguise their cruelty, bleach the truth

yet you don't seem to feel the pain

more than water, hatred

grinding you against the curb

they watch, laugh, loosen their ties

mock their little marionette

even then, could you hear,

over your mother's prayers, your sister's screams

the water's thunder

even then, could you hear the crescendo

the muffled sound of freedom's coming ring?

thank you, puppet boy

your grimace has become our song