The Advocate's Plea
A poem by Anna Shepherd
I’ve heard the screams of fathers in
the night,
Their child, incarcerated, was
murdered- This ain’t right!
Are you going to help us fight?
I’ve seen brothers, blank stares on
their face,
Their sisters killed in custody
because of their race,
Accountability, we must chase.
I’ve hugged mothers as they fell to
the floor,
Their child ran to the officer, beating
on the door,
No one was there- they scream no
more.
I’ve visited to many grandparents who
now have broken souls,
Their grandchild will never be released-
no chance to reach their goals,
Their life grief now controls.
I’ve been to church and seen whole
families asking why,
They scream to God for help with
tears in their eyes,
From the DOC all they are getting-
just lies.
I’ve read posts of the ones with hatred
in their heart,
They are uneducated- to dumb to play
that part,
To their knowledge, we must embark.
I’ve seen the ones who try and try to
right so many wrongs,
They write, they march, they talk,
they preach, I’ve even heard some songs,
With the suffering their heart
belongs.
I’ve laid awake at night, unable to be
at peace,
When I awake, how many more will be
deceased?
I beg for help- please…
