My Pledge is not Like Yours

Location

03281
United States
43° 5' 24.0396" N, 71° 44' 18.6828" W

A stage
A man
Enrage
I can
I won
My fist
You shun
Desist
Segregated
Equal, separate?
I am hated
You are irate
You require hands on our hearts
Can’t know what my fist imparts
My peace?
I’ve been
Policed
Chagrined
Surprise
How red
Your eyes
Unsaid
That is our plight
Killed, maimed, lynched men
I do what’s right
Win, study, when
‘d you prove equality?
Hoses, dogs, riots, pain
The same?
No, sir
Reclaim
Pride, stir
Your ire
Respect?
Inspire
Reject
Until y’prove it
Raise my fist high
Cuff me, do it
You cannot deny
My name is Tommie Smith
Black, living, monolith.

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