farce

the court was not
seeking justice
for a dead black boy
or his family
or his community
or anyone who looks like him

the court was not
seeking justice for
the little boy across the
street from me
who might already know
what it’s like to see
hatred aimed at him
from grown men’s eyes
for no reason other
than the color of his skin

the court was out
to assert the right
of a white man to hunt down
and kill a young black man

the court decided
there is no consequence
for hate when it is aimed
at black or brown bodies

the state attorney
smiled at the loss
because
it was a victory
for the status quo