Category: Social Justice

GEORGE FLOYD, OUR HEARTS STILL WEAR YOUR TEARS (2021)

George Floyd, one year
Yet, it feels like today
A knee in your neck
Left you breathless
A picture unforgettable
“I can’t breathe” 
Can’t be unheard
Mama
That word 
Touched our souls
Cried with you then
Today our hearts 
Still wear your tears
Always remembered
Never forgotten
Rest In Power
My brother
BLM


"WHEN I PLACE MY HAND IN MY POCKET"

Now, when I place my hand in my pocket
I see the horrific picture of a knee in George Floyd’s neck
Now, when I place my hand in my pocket
I hear the words ‘I can’t breathe’

Now, when I place my hand in my pocket
My mind is flooded with the inerasable picture of the cold 
Evil and cruel death of my brother
Now, when I place my hand in my pocket
I can’t say I’ve never seen a man take his last breath

Now, when I place my hand in my pocket
I see the murder of all my black brothers and sisters 
Who are dead because of the color of their skin 
Now, when I place my hand in my pocket 
I am angry and I am sad 
I’m overwhelmed and I am mad

 Because for too long we have suffered at the minds 
And hands of hate, cruelty and injustice
And for too long, too much blood has been shed 
Too many bodies have been buried
Too much heartbreak have been endured
Too many mothers, too families have suffered

Now when I place my hand in my pocket
I feel no contentment, no peace, no comfort, and I cry
Because now when I place my hands in my pocket 
I see George Floyd a face my mind can’t erase 
And I hear the words I can’t unheard “please! I can’t breathe”
So now, I no longer place my hands in my pocket


Bio: Twitter: EmpressIjah2 
Ava Tenn is a Poet and Freelance Writer.
She believes that poetry can penetrate your heart and speak to your soul and with its balm it can change the world.
She has had publications in the Toronto Sun, Good News Toronto
and Planet Africa magazine. She enjoys learning, reading, dancing and helping people. Ava believes in prayer, peace and unity and creating awareness through words that inspires and motivates. When she is not writing poetry and articles, she’s writing songs wishing she could sing.
She resides in Toronto where she is currently working on her manuscript.