How Many More?

Posted on 2020-10-06 by Bartholomew Barker

How Many More?
for Breonna Taylor

When you kill my sister
and praise her murderer
do not condemn me
for breaking glass.

When you crush my brother’s neck
and anger inflames a city
do not demand the restraint
your police lack.

When your promises of reform
are broken easier than a window
and forgotten faster than a bullet,
do not expect compliance.

You raped my mother because you knew
no jury or judge would believe her.
You hung my father from a tree
then took selfies at the after party.

How many storefronts would you smash
for each of your sons and daughters
gunned down in the street?

How many buildings would you burn
for their justice?

Four weeks until Election Day in the States. Are you registered to vote? Are you sure?

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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15 Responses to How Many More?

  1. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:
    2020-10-06 at 19:30

    To the ground! They would burn them to the ground.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Emily's avatar Emily says:
    2020-10-07 at 11:52

    Masterful! Can you submit this to some journal?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. jupitergrant's avatar jupitergrant says:
    2020-10-31 at 23:28

    👏👏👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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