Something in the Air (Writing)

Something's in the air
A familiar sense of hesitation that makes us uncomfortable, uneasy – colors of envy and fear coloring the air
New bigotry of old festering its head in the name of love and religion
But a familiar sense of passion that flowed through the veins of our forefathers and mothers
Indeed, there is something in the air:
The faint smell of an uprising, calls for justice shining brightly over the landscape that holds the blood of martyrs
Lingering with smells of roses and lavender and brightly colorful as burnt orange with bursts of yellow
Zephyr breezes that started so long ago
With Fredrick, Nat and Ida, Harriet underground, and Harry on voice and drums
Martin's dream and Fannie's relentlessness
Selma and Birmingham bombings
Reminders of how far we've come, but the road is still long in where we need to be
Trayvon (Florida), Eric (New York), Michael (Missouri) – vigilantes and cops
Tiffany (Cincinnati), Zoraida (Anaheim), Yaz'min (Fort Meyers) – murdered – all transgendered
We seem to have gotten away from the dream, in our songs and on screen
We seem to have lost the drive to challenge in words
Instead, singing about what pleases the eyes instead of the mind
When will we get that "Say It Loud" and "Respect" back? Or realize that "Strange Fruit" is as alive and well now as it was then, just different roots?
History is slowly repeating itself, and it's only getting more strangely familiar
And leaves me wondering…what side of Justice Road are you on?

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