a list of strangers we've lost (3rd place, 2018 jerry healy poetry prize)

A List of Strangers We’ve Lost
by Hannah Toutge

Jamar Clark.
Ring a bell?
Were he alive, he’d have a story to tell.
One of prejudice, one of fear
Just one night, when the stars were clear
Was all it took to end his life
The last thing he saw: an accusing flashlight.
Just one night, when the stars were clear.

Dontre Hamilton and Eric Garner
Two more deaths, tensions running higher.
Hamilton shot, Garner choked
Neither man had a chance, nor spoke.
Instructed to remain silent if ever detained
“Submitting will make it easier,” they’d claimed.
Two more deaths, no one spoke.

John Crawford (the Third) and Michael Brown
Cleveland or Ferguson, it doesn’t matter the town
“He fit the profile,” law enforcement defends
But what good does that do when they’re already dead?
Officers accused of being corrupt,
It’s obvious murder, but no one’s locked up.
What good does that do when they’re dead.

Tamir Rice and Jerame Reid
Two more names to ring in 2015.
The list is growing, and so is the anger
At this senseless slaughter, the increasing danger.
But only danger for black people, because their color makes them “bad”
The violence is becoming reminiscent of Stalingrad.
Now we’re in 2015.

Tony Robinson and Phillip White
Again, nobody put up a fight.
Because the more you resist, the worse it’ll hurt
The tighter the handcuffs, even though your hands aren’t any worse
Than the ones that held the gun, that confidently pulled the trigger
The gunshot summoned the gravedigger.
You are not at fault.

Walter Scott and Freddie Gray
Do you think we’ll ever see the day?
When black lives matter
And cops aren’t Mad Hatters
And they don’t shoot on a whim
Simply because of darker skin.
Black lives matter, Black Lives Matter.

Peter Gaines and Devonte Gates
Gee, ain’t this country great?
Demarco Rhymes was 35
Why do white men prefer “dead” to “alive?”
But only in terms of black men, you see
A free and but not all in this country are free.
Why are they dead. Why aren’t they alive?

Alton Sterling.
Before he’s buried, there’s already another name to add to the fury.
Philando Castile killed in front of his daughter
Live-streamed on Facebook, another senseless slaughter.
Tyre King was just thirteen
Another name glares up from the screen.
Another senseless slaughter.

And now the question stands at attention,
Demands attention, how do we enact prevention?
How do we respond to murder, hate crimes?
When a white man is afraid, a black man dies.
I wish these weren’t even questions to pose
Acceptance is wilted like an April Christmas rose.
How do we change?
Hear their names.
How do we change.