This piece forms part of an ongoing series of short stories and poetry by the author, who reports on his experiences being incarcerated. This poem uses the metaphor of war to explore the violence and polarization incited by oppression and racism.

A war fought by civilians, men, women, children, turned over to the inclinations of soldiers, hands now the holders of rifles, principal now president over survival, strategies from viable to suicidal become vital parts of ideation.

A nation of nations!

Where some’s insatiable satiation led to other’s starvation

Reparations?!

Only by the blast of an AK47! Black smoke curling up to heaven as cars and buildings burn!

What have we learned?

Two different races, from two different places, different color faces facing the same dilemma, of how to solve the enigma, and wash away the stigma, paradoxical at best!

What a test! But what students young, fearless, proud and prudent, in pursuant of equal influence, jubilant with every cylinder spent towards course…..

We pause, but only to grieve, only to re-affirm what we believe.

The reverse racism some perceive, visions of ancestors hanging from trees never leaves and neither of us breathe! Neither of us see each other as human beings!!

Only as obstacles to be overcome, tactics to be out done, enemies to be out gunned, ideology passed to daughter and son.

Sadly, they no longer flinch at the sight of gore, and as now becomes before, the grave diggers prepare for more, and the NRA prepares the stores, the bloody bald eagle soars! Civil War!

This is a poem from the inside out!