A poem about racism

[Amina]

We were talking, my friends and I
About racism
And how it works

How it arcs through the air like a brick through the window of a mosque
Whispers, shouts, chants, insults
Stands in the way, won’t let you pass
Sings so high it shatters glass

Racism taunts, bears arms
Passes down the chain of command
Like an order being followed
Racism hides, disguised
Lingers longer than a kiss

Racism lurks in doorways
sneaks down alleys,
and under doors, like zyklon B
easy to miss
if you don’t recognize the hiss

Racism wears bovva boots
Hurls abuse
Finds a use for broken crosses
Racism takes aim
Shifts the blame
Ignores the losses

Racism travels in packs
Stabs in backs
Waves flags and brags and
Covers its tracks
Racism shaves its head
Makes its bed
And lies about history

Racism breeds like rabbits,
Bleeds all over the Dam place

Racism wears uniforms
Racism stamps its name in passports
Misplaces papers
Locks you out

Racism stops and searches
Fisti-cuffs you
Holds you in custody
Laughs at you gasping
Locks you up
and watches you die

Racism starts wars
Settles scores
Displaces settlers
And passes laws /
Racism divides and conquers
Breaks rules
Suffers fools gladly.

Racism infiltrates schools
Poisons the food / For thought

Racism lights candles
Burns crosses
Racism denies its existence
With dogged insistence
that Jesus was white

Racism hides behind a smile
oozes poison
Tastes of bile

Racism says; Hello come in
Where are you from
and when are you leaving?

Oh yes, we were talking my friends and I
About racism and how it works
Well-oiled it works
Well-heeled

Watch out Europa
Your show is slipping
Your racism is leaking.
The jig is up



copyleft A. Human-Being, 2008