Rename a street
and believe you've
preserved a man's memory.

Close government down
for a single day each year
and dream that you are
perpetuating freedom.

Remember first and foremost

that

until every human being
is free in heart and mind
from the tyranny of color

two men
murdered
nineteen hundred and
thirty-five years apart
were killed
in vain.

Secrets and lies seep into the skin
trying to find a place to hide within
Until one day they can hide no more
They come out everywhere even the pores

Like a vine wraps around a tree
so do the lies that we weave
The vine chokes out the tree
just like the lies choke out me

We try to keep the secrets hidden away
from the nosey thieves
But instead they keep popping
out everywhere littering the trees

We get scared of being lonely
wanting to be the only
These secrets and lies take a hold
Until our soul is ripped out and we turn cold

Chemo killed cancer
and my immune system too;
slowly rebuilding.