Jazzman Screams
the night is on fire
the city is howling
and the jazzman screams
I’M TIRED OF WATCHING MY CITY BURN
grieving the loss
of simple humanity
sixty five years
and nothing’s changed
under the cover of
fool’s progress
now our country’s at war
with an unstoppable virus
people are scared
and angry
and dying
our country’s at war
with unstoppable racism
and people are scared
and angry
and dying
another black life
that didn’t matter enough
to protect and serve
murdered
by infected blue minds
a human sacrifice
for all the world to see
what good is an oath
in a corrupt democracy
who do you trust
which man is his word
injustice to one
is to all
people are tired
and angry
and want justice
for all the George Floyds
and for themselves
so they go to the streets
in civil protest
to raise a voice
demanding change
chaos or community
shouldn’t be a choice
the perfect storm builds
pain
fear
frustration
rage
a killing virus
men in blue and black and camo
with gas and guns and bats
a president playing with matches
and the tinderbox explodes
taking our breath away
people are scared
and angry
and dying
and the neighborhood
becomes a smoldering shell
of its former character and dignity
the new war zone
of a never ending civil war
against hatred and ignorance
embers of pain and oppression
glow hot and deep
over too many lifetimes
fires will burn
cities will howl
jazzmen will keep screaming
and embers will always glow
until everyone can breathe
the same fresh air
—C Driver
