is this what peace sounds like?
blood – on sidewalks and calloused skin and other
places that used to know grace like an anthem
is this what freedom sounds like?

is this what change sounds like?
people chanting die die die, brothers saying
here, i sharpened my freedom enough
to carve you lifeless

is this what nation sounds like?
silenced war songs and muted lullabies
go to sleep, go to sleep, there is no room here
for life or mercy, no room for heart

is this us? is it still us? when the lights are out
do our hymns still count? do our promises
still matter or have our ears turned deaf
from the very voices we fought for?