Conflict

Silence Begets Violence

A young man is shot dead.
A victim of cruel and unjust violence.
At his funeral, his mother, his siblings
His friends all mourn the loss of a young soul.

But the sombre and solemnity is broken up,
By the eerily similar sounding gunfire.
A man, remorseless and shameless, pulls out a glock
And another young man is shot dead.

Cries of mourning change
And they become cries of shock.
The rendition of "Amazing Grace"
Drowned out by sirens of police cars and ambulances.

Years pass and the cycle continues.
Death after senseless death.
The vast majority:
Without convictions nor major suspects.

But we all know the killers.
Choosing not to go forward with our knowledge,
Fearful of the inevitable ramifications.
"If I speak up, will I be next?"

The real conflict lies not in two gangs.
But, the conflict lies in our souls.
Our conscience slowly rots
As we remain silent.

Inspired by the tragic loss of Amon Beckles.