I wrote this poem nearly 15 years ago now. I wanted to re-share this week as it seems even more relevant today than when I first wrote it. I indeed feel like we continue to try to answer the same question, again and again…
We’re still trying to answer a question-
A question which seems to have always been.
It eats inside, yearning for an answer
And it screams outside for the killing of men.
We’re still trying to answer a question
Being reminded of it every day,
Going back from the past to the present,
Pondering in shame what we have to say.
We’re still trying to answer a question
Which is being asked every single year, day, & hour
In our hearts, in our minds, and in our actions;
As we allow group think to come to power.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
Shown by the lynching from an angry mob;
Shown by the crazed shootings from a human;
Shown by terrorists believing it’s their job.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
As children cry for their lost mothers;
As parents weep for their innocent babes;
As we kill and destroy one another.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
While we point fingers at a different race;
While we hide and hope they take the blame;
While we wait in shame and cover our face.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
Blaming it on the young and on the old;
Watching as thousands die from simple hate;
Closing our eyes- ignoring what we’ve been told.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
Yet we’re too frightened to do what’s right;
Though screams for help echo through our dull ears
And we see our equals shamed and killed out of spite.
We’re still trying to answer a question-
Terrified of the truth that we know;
Trying to run from what we have become;
Indefinable fear becoming the cause of our woe.
–Written by Sandy Heights
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Thoughts of This 