Black Lives Matter Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Voices from a distance,
Are joined by forces that increase.
'Black Lives Matter'
And those who hear them,
Call them 'activists'.
'Black Lives Matter'
The chanting continues.
No one can avoid the hearing of this.

And it matters to the blacks,
Suddenly awaking to the fact.
As if overnight a discovery was made.
To being black and living that way alright.
The chanting continues:
'Black Lives Matter'
Folks on a campaign to do and explain.
'Black Lives Matter'
To who?

To who should this be proven to?
With a known respect and shown to exist.
'Black Lives Matter'

Who is it wishing,
Their identity to pride...
Is supported and realized?
'Black Lives Matter'

Who is it with efforts to endeavor,
In a multitude of fields...
Beyond entertainment and sports?
On a daily basis with it done to prove,
Their contributions to make...
Without a getting of support,
But quickly aborted by those envious and jealous.
Those unmotivated and lacking discipline.
Yet encourage to protest,
Against being disenfranchised.
To then get upset with a shown disrespect.
Towards others like themselves,
Wishing to provide opportunities and success.
Without feeling regret by those who profess...
'Black Lives Matter'

Voices from a distance,
Are joined by forces that increase.
'Black Lives Matter'
And those who hear them,
Call them 'activists'.
'Black Lives Matter'
The chanting continues.
No one can avoid the hearing of this.

Who is it wishing,
Their identity to pride...
Is supported and realized?
'Black Lives Matter'

To who should this be proven to?
With a known respect and shown to exist.
'Black Lives Matter'

'Black Lives Matter'
The chanting continues.
'Black Lives Matter'
Folks on a campaign to do and explain.
'Black Lives Matter'

To who?

~To who?
To them.~

To 'them'?
Prove 'that' to me 'first'.
Afterall...
I am black.
And I have never had to campaign.
Advocate.
Or solicit support.
Nor have I need to be convinced.
But I must say...
Hearing it chanted,
May provide some with incentive...
To be who they are and not argue about it.
And become more supportive,
Of each other and our efforts to endeavor.
AGAIN.