Lonely Unity: Past, Brian Donohugh

Past,

Endless Walks

Lights blare to lifeless soul, by protectors no more. Not again…what’s your story?

Pacing through once crowded streets, wandered now by few so stressfully past gilded bridges, gold-lit trees –few looked not for an enemy. Determined eyes paired masked false glee came carried by passing “elites”. Judgmental expressions curtained by fabric, life as usual it seems. Though all old customs rendered mute, my skin still lacked esteem. They cross from street that I pollute cloaking their evident panic.

Approached the bus stop discernible, filled seats cleared in my wake, I chose to stand, analyzed behind tinted glasses, glasses searching for hints of a mistake. Looking up I witnessed vivid blue behind their accenting badges. Pair of officers came near, suspicious yet unmistakable.

Unjustified claims of suspicious activity, inexplicable aggression, they plead cooperation. My case stated, their doubt remained my life, my worth in question. why? “you fit a description” “we were told of suspicious activity nearby” “we need to check your record” Defined by color, my fears materialized. Conversed, complied, confessed –my appeals dismissed abruptly.

For my fate had been determined, they saw what they needed to see; my profile now created, the criminal decisively me. My hands suppressed they knocked me down, my breath collapsed now purged. My legs withheld and I, consumed by concrete’s compression; helpless in my struggle as a bee in disarray. I resisted. Only slightly, judgment limited foolishness; slightly enough to amplify – “DON’T RESIST!”. taser’s shock did little - backside numb from pressure greater force applied, chest collapsed beneath me, great grasps for breath expended me. My pleads ignored, people gathered, the sunlight faded off the lake, darkened trees by luminated bridges cameras shielded the view. As orange world grew dark, vibrant city grew dim through bustling commotion came silence through desperate lungs came final breaths through flailing eyes came emptiness.

And what of those who came before? Were their lives worth as little? Their voices silenced as they cried for help. What of Martin and Malcolm? Have their movements been ignored? Claimed as equal, we stand apart. They say we share same ground as they watch us from above. Chained by past, equal we’re not. Through echoed requests from walks of all, our muffled voices never travelled far. To claim there’s change is ignorance, to say job’s done’s blind trust –for as they think that all has changed our endless suffering stays the same. So long as one defies what’s just, justice can’t be served. For as I depart with final breath, I pray change comes; it warrants my death.

In silent walks and whispers clear, they sit for new day born from thoughtless tragedy. A new name brought for a cause readmit, another trend with this week’s casualty. These senseless murders, now normalities; brothers and sisters to be forgotten. What could justify such fatalities? What can they do to avenge their fallen? Perhaps I am the catalyst - inspirer; I observe these streets, now bright and crowded, myriad of wanderers who gather fight for me, their voices loud - not clouded. My people stand as others hear their talks. On their journey for us, their endless walks.

Brian Donohugh