Finally

On our knees

We have spent lifetimes,

Ages, centuries, and still

On our knees

Are we

Of color

Of gender

Of any difference at all

If you’d so, please

To know the truth

If you’d care

To know

We’d given up hope

Of walking fearless long ago

When you brought out

The hoses and the dogs

We’ve begged and pleaded

And marched

We even, yes, the irony of it all,

We even took the knee,

To respect but protest

The shameful sin

Of how you treated us all

But even in our silence

Deemed too mouthy

By those who wished

Us no mouth at all

You slapped us down

Called us unamerican

For believing, for asking

For the promise

Of liberty for us all

No more on our knees

No more No more No more

On our knees or knees

Upon our backs and necks

No more begging on our knees

We stand straight and tall

The day is here and now

For righteousness

To flood the words with meaning

Finally, finally

Liberty and Justice for All

 

in response to the phrase “on our knees”

https://godoggocafe.com/2020/06/02/tuesday-writing-prompt-challenge-tuesday-june-2-2020/