The Encounter

Here he comes

Flashlight shining

Eyes squinting

Maliciously looking

For some ill intent

So innocent

Are we

Sitting quietly

In the dark

In the park

Trying to talk

Not at fault

No cause for this

Rough talk

Question my friend

Again and again

Run our ID’s

And we freeze

As three more cars

Circle us

Lights shining

We hear them laugh

As we stand

Frozen

In the spotlight

Hearts pounding

Wondering if

Tonight will be our unlucky night

Man, we’re no threat

How bored can you get

No big deal to you

Your authority shields you from the permanent impression

An incident like this causes

Behind the badge you can’t see

You can’t feel

You can’t understand

Years worth of pain

Of being victimized

Of being internalized

To believe

That po-po’s aren’t there

To protect me

But to lie on me

To frame me

Shake me

Take my people away

I try not to hate

But I can’t embrace

The man who shines the light in my eye

Makes me explain myself

When I know I’m doing right

Kills my night

The bright light doesn’t care

If your heart is to save the world

The bright light doesn’t care

If you have a degree

It exists

To distress

Your peacefulness

My heart can’t rest

But I do get to sleep

Eventually

Just another round

For the man with the bright light

But for me

Those scars

Run hella deep