In 1964, American President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
I don’t remember what incident inspired this poem, but I wrote it around 1986 or 1987 while I was in the US Air Force.
It’s been almost 37 years since I wrote this, and the struggle continues. We’ve learned that it will never end, but that shouldn’t stop us. Choose love over hate, every chance you get. It’s the only way the world will eventually change.
Civil Rights
Shadowed faces leading shadowed lives
in dusty history.
Newsreels flicker with silent marches —
ancient fights for common rights.
Strong leaders emerge, like candles
flickering in the darkness.
A shot snuffs one flame;
apathy threatens the rest.
Shadowed faces lead shadowed lives
in obscure reality.
Complacency gives way to shock,
as hard-won rights fall prey
to ancient fights.
We thought we had won forever.
They didn’t tell us “forever” was only 20 years.
Wow! That was wonderful and heartbreaking at the same time.