* Author's Note: I am a classical poet too by the way

I know that fear makes or made you go mute,
something inside you always unsettled since then.
Wanted it resolved without you being in the dispute,
waiting patiently (sort of) on braver men.

None to come or ever stepped up so it seems,
Ms. Ruby and Mr. Adams whispering bout ghosts.
But the truth haunts more than just their dreams,
I know it even if their mouths don't boast.

No one white nor black really is ok with this,
both races of human feel death the same way.
Know that no matter the color loved ones do miss,
cry for and talk to the lost when they pray.

Please stand up and speak to the silence if you can help us still,
give the fear up to God and let Him heal it like His word says He will.

Got word today of something that penetrated my wall
can't begin to tell you why it never crossed my mind at all
the victims had children that grew to be men
my baby too falls in the same class as them
the son of a murdered father for whom there was no trial
everyone knows who did it but no charges have been filed
as if the system is saying their lives were worth nothing
but to these children they were more than just something
they were role models and personal heroes
robbed of the opportunity to watch their blessings grow
the news hit me heavy in my heart and deep within my soul
giving me that much more urgency to ensure that their story is told
not just that of my husband of these victims too
I was asked to do something that had I known I'd have volunteered to do
I know how the holes never close and the pain makes you numb
no one had to explain to me once from which angle to come from
my pen speaks for my heart when my voice won't be enough
and both want them to know that we support them cause I know it's rough
in the same shoes myself in a way and it is a long road
full of emotions that never are the same always in tow
through every stage and phase of life as we progress
leaning on faith when there's nothing else left on which to rest
these weary spirits and heavy hearts on hard days
these kinds of things stay with you and manifest in so many ways
I know cause my baby too has a similar story to tell
or at least he will when he grows up like Roger's son did -
to tell of the day his daddy fell.