An Innocent's Cry Poem by Otha Gwabe

We see thieves in shackles,
Murderers in ball and chains,
Human traffickers in manacles,
Torturers strapped in reins…

Then why are ours bolted down? !
Tied to both hands and feet,
Now here left to ‘hang' around,
An unknown war, we feel defeat…

What have we done so wrong,
That now we're chained to this wall,
Hear our cries and hear our pleas,
Hear us ask to set us free!

I hear others cry out,
"I'll be a good daughter, I'll be a good son! "
"I'll change to be better if you get me down! "
"I'm sorry for everything! Please! ", they shout.

I know I can't do that,
I change a lot, at a drop of a hat,
And I try to be a good person,
But my situation only seems to worsen.

For now I'll join the voices,
Join the reflection of choices,
That gave us our fall
That got us chained to this wall.

You give us false hope of freedom,
By slowly coming around,
But we lack so much wisdom,
For you tighten our bolts down.

WHY DON'T YOU SAY TO MY FACE!
WHY YOU BROUGHT US TO THIS PLACE!
WHY ARE WE HERE!
TELL US LOUD AND CLEAR WITH NO TEAR!

For what have we done so wrong,
That now we're chained to this wall,
Hear our cries and hear our pleas,
Hear us ask to set us free!

Let us hear our crimes!
All those who feel it, say it with us,
Say it loud or in a hush,
We will cry one… last… time.

What have we done so wrong,
That now we're chained to this wall,
Hear our cries and hear our pleas,
Hear us ask to set us FREE.