Drops

Itua Uduebo

Bull Connor using fire hose on protesters. May 3, 1963. Source: Al.com

Drop in the water
Oceans guiding the ships
Partners in the perfect crime

Drop in the water
Three drinks for the day
Dry cotton and hot whips and broken scars

Drop in the water
River of blood under the trees
Feeds the grass that covers our graves

Drop in the water
Two fountains, two laws, one nation
A man must drink his fill

Drop in the water
Power of the fire hose
Slip and fall with dogs in chase

Drop in the water
Tears for the king and the brother
Fuel to start the fires

Drop in the water
Drown black streets in white powder
Pour the people into steel boxes

Drop in the water
Mothers crying for stolen children
Cities pumping poison water
Truth washed clean for comfort

A man can’t breathe
The world gasps for air

They say enough drops fill the well
Watery graves fill the slowest
I’ll die on dry land before diving in
Let me feel my last breath
On ground free of sin

Itua Uduebo, born in Lagos, Nigeria, raised in New York, is a part-time writer and full-time over-thinker. A frequent contributor to Six By Eight Press and novelist in need of a literary agent. Loves the sound of a busy city street and empty blue skies. @iuduebo