The messenger arrived
By the dark of the night
Demanded to speak
To the calm of the storm
His voice was clear
It was quiet
It shattered the peace
After the riot
The spokesman was laid down
A blow to the head
Not dead
But the calm
Cast their gaze down
Unable to speak
The messenger’s feet
Burned through the night
Bearing the news
Not all was right
And many threw stones
And cast their aspersions
And the message moved on
With or without
Purpose
Slowly the dawn
Lit up the night
Darkness unfolded
And shadows receded
But not as much as they had
Not as far as they could
In honor of those
Who were still wounded
Who were still bleeding
Who were still feeling
Who were still there