After the Conviction

Michael J. Grabell

What now now that justice 

in some small way was done 

after the “collective catharsis” 

what solace in knowing 

it will happen has already 

happened again 

the sun goes down in a rust belt city  

a mom calls to report a crisis 

and police shoot her son 

the dirt like rust in a sun belt city 

a man breaking up a fight offers an officer  

a handshake and is shot 

Sunday protest in a bible belt city 

and a man’s body lies in the street  

half the day 

rust belt sun belt bible belt so many belts  

America trying so hard to hold up its pants 

but can’t when its ties are folded as whips  

witness the prosecutor justifying homicide 

the TV lawyer taking his cut 

witness the mother in bed with shades drawn 

the thrum of news, videos on loop 

all eyes on her swollen eyes 

what is resilience but resisting silence 

what is solace but a consolation prize. 

Image © Europeana