A Tribute To Freddie Gray

Despair

Ian Sleat

Tribute to Freddie Gray

Running faster and faster

My breath shortening with every stride

I stop and accept that arrest will be the punishment

I put my hands in the air so no harm will be done

They lunge, beating me to the ground

I can’t move

I try to breathe but it is so hard when there are arms wrapped so tight around me

I writhe and scream, begging them to let me go on with my day.

Please!

Free me

From this prison

I have done nothing wrong

Other than the switchblade in my pocket

I thought I was allowed to have this defense

I promise I will do no harm

I beg of you just to let me go

The officers don´t listen.

They tell me to stop resisting

I listen but they seem to be harming me more than ever

They bring me to a bus

The back opens

“Get in” they say

I obey

Looking back I see phones recording

This is bad

I am thrown in and the doors close

Darkness

Reckless driving throws me
I hit a wall

I go numb

Nothing to be seen or heard

Only the light of day after the bus doors open

I feel myself being lifted up

Pain surges through my body

I'm ordered to stand but I am incapable

They drag me a few steps

Darkness

No life left

"A Freddie Gray Primer: Who Was He, How Did He Die, Why Is There so Much Anger?" Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2016.