Cornerstone Ministries Inc.
You’re on Mute
The world grew silent as we retreated to our homes.
No one could hear us, in anguish we moaned.
We are talking, but no one hears.
They’ve had us on mute for years.
COVID-19 forced the world to sit down and see
Another brother’s neck under a policeman’s knee.
Protests of the horror rose with an uproar
We rallied with the same messages as before:
Justice.
Equality.
Peace.
Inclusion.
Brotherhood.
Black Lives Matter, a movement still being misunderstood
The streets grew silent as we returned to our homes.
No one could hear us, our impatience had grown.
We are proclaiming, but no tells the story of our fears.
They’ve had us on mute for years.
Danger, devastation, disparity in healthcare abounds
COVID deaths called attention, when others made no sounds
Preventable diseases ravage our communities, putting us in poor health
These are rarely, if ever, mentioned in communities of great wealth
No fitness center or Whole Foods down our street
Mostly corner stores and liquor stores within six feet
The cemetery grew silent as we plodded to our homes.
No one could hear us, shrouded in grief we groaned.
We are heartbroken, but no one laments for our tears.
They’ve had us on mute for years.
Isolation birthed Zoom fatigue and spawn mental health concerns
As humans, for social and physical interactions, everyone yearns
The hugs.
The kisses.
The drinks.
The congregate meals.
All aborted.
Coronavirus poured over the world; things got real.
The comforting touch that sustained our fragile sanity
Snatched away
Masks and social distancing tested our humanity
The conscious mind grew silent as we resigned to our homes.
No one could hear us; bewildered, we crouched alone.
We are muttering, but no one hears.
They’ve had us on mute for years.
Will saying goodbye to 2020 cure these ills?
Communities of color must not just hope it will.
Speak up!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion are not jaded words.
Take yourself off mute and be heard!
Unpublished work © 2021 Inez S. Canada