I Killed A Man On Monday

I killed a man on Monday

As I prayed to God for safety

My knee upon his neck

Interceding for protection

From all who look like him

Loitering in my neighborhood

Choking him with my ungodly fear

I killed a man on Monday

As I studied his tragic past

Kneeling down to look more closely

To bemoan the horror of slavery

And celebrate the heroism of Rosa

“What abuse, what beauty,” I think

Choking him with my liberal apathy

I killed a man on Monday

Stopping from my long advance

Resting upon bended knee

I had to take a break

From all the willful progress

My birthright has afforded me

In this land of opportunity

Choking him with my silent complicity

I killed a man on Monday

Knee upon his neck

Not with malice, you understand

Just a simple act

Of fearful, broadminded silence

I pay my respects

then rise to go about my day

Until I kill again on Tuesday