In Memoriam Christopher Alder Poem by George Coomb

In Memoriam – Christopher Alder

(Died watched by Hull Police 1998)

hiding behind uniforms
police watch him
helpless, frail
as a fallen leaf
on the floor
breathing shackled
by their cruelty
Christopher, our black warrior
went slowly away
shame is a feeling
they never felt
predatory enemy
damned by the
whiteness of their skin

he died while they watched

all created life is one
white superiority is ignorance
ignorance is not bliss
ignorance is ignorance

he died while they watched

now the true warrior
rests in nature,
creation is blessed
by his honour
“Christopher”
his name is sighed
by wind through trees
his presence calm
in cool breeze
the touch of rain

they watched while he died

‘Christopher”
the name means
‘Christ bearer’

they watched while he died

now
the time of
perpetual conflict
no feeling
no shame
no justice
never peace

crime against humanity
they watched while he died

George Coombs