Two Sonnets for Michael Brown

I.

My Facebook Feed the Day before Thanksgiving: an Erasure

It’s the best profession in the world, a weapon

for justice.

A system cannot fail that wasn’t meant

to protect.

How many miles will you walk?

Just an old lefty saying what he thought,

that race is there, a troubled constant.

We must question authority, confront those who abuse power, side with the victims,

the vulnerable.

We must own the system.

We have lost our key; we are trying to find it.

We all used to read The Saturday Evening

Post.

Last year, a cheerless meal in Kandahar. It is one of our four freedoms.

I have discovered

fleece leggings.

Thank you Norman Rockwell.

Feel good about other people; share this article.

II.

My Facebook Feed the Day After Thanksgiving: an Erasure

Up to 50% off.

Find out the shocking

answer. Free shipping today.

I’ve got six

fucking kids to feed.

Missed connections.

I have not lived

what you have lived.

I’m really liking

how this game’s going.

I have not lived

what you have lived.

It’s time for the Waltons to pay

a living wage.

Some behaviors stay

in the family.

I have not lived

what you have lived.

No one knew how far

we’d march.

I’d like to tell the cop I’m not

afraid, but I am.

Finally upgrading.

I will not

stop shopping.

Denver, Seattle, Baltimore.

We were told to go home in pairs

for protection.

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