The King's Eyes

Posted by Terrence Johnson

Through these eyes

Many days of struggle

Seen

Blood-shot red

From verbal, physical, and mental abuse

Crowds of disenfranchised people

Marching

Wanting a change

I want to be there guide

Boycott

Demanding change

Thousands of feet walking

Endurance is necessary

Success

No more colored section on the bus

Staring at the worn prison bars

Words transcribed in letter form

Birmingham

Freedom

Equality

Persecuted but not broken

Knowing this is God's will

My face illuminates from the cross burning outside my window

White hooded faces

This can't be my America

Podium

Faces awaiting a new Moses

Entranced by my every word

Feeding them vital sustenance

Giving them strength to endure

TV screen

Water hoses beat like slave whips

Nooses dangle people from trees like Christmas ornaments

Objects

Through rage I see fear in their eyes

Watching

Scared of me

My plan of action

Act

Not aggressively

Responsibly

Non-violently

In times of rest

I dream

About a world that could be

Memphis

Change on the horizon

Chrome flashes

Bullet

My eyes close

To rest until my dream comes true