Anything Else Poem by Mustafa Marconi

Ran into a firestorm late last night
Seems two brothers were targets
For a posse’s unbiased attack
Stepped in to intercede
Been doing it for so long
Don’t really know how to do anything else
Friends scold me
Family admonish me
But I just can’t turn away
I’m not trying to be a hero
I’m not looking for a fight
Deep inside my spirit beckons
To stand like a man
When it’s time for men to stand
The two brothers fearing danger
Pleaded and begged for somebody to help
Grown folks looked the other way
Businessmen slammed doors in their faces
Where is the police when truly needed
When victims feel the sting of apathy
My wife stated “mind your business”
My daughter said “daddy please”
What kind of example could I possibly be
If I allowed this injustice to simply proceed
How will my daughter ever understand
What will she look for when selecting a man
Everyman’s burdens, burdens me
For we are all connected
We are all interrelated
The sun shines for each and everyone of us
And we all pass through our existence
One second at a time
My daughter relents
Knowing who and what I am
A stranger stepped in
“Leave it in Gods hand
Please young man don’t interfere”
How can you pray to Jesus and be a coward
Or praise Allah and be yellow
Oh ye of little faith
Pardon a brother, but don’t get in the way
I am not trying to be a hero
I am not looking for a fight
Deep inside my spirit beckons
To stand like a man
When it is time for men to stand
So I stepped in to intercede
Been doing it for so long
Don’t really know how to do anything else
Minutes later the two boys thank me
I say “peace be unto you”
And send them on their way
I return to my wife and daughter
When suddenly the stranger reappears
He said, “give thanks to Jesus you are alright
Jesus protected you”
I nod and say “thank you”
He doesn’t know any better
He’s been a coward for so long
And he doesn’t really know how to be anything else