Vox Populi

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Michael Simms: Minneapolis

He died in Minneapolis on an ordinary day,
A day we’ll all remember.
We can't turn away. It was a day
Like this one, a Monday, in Spring.
 
Yes, it was a Monday like today
When this poem arrived
With a knee on its neck
Unable to breathe.
 
George Floyd is dead. They choked him
Although he never did anything to them.
They choked him hard with a knee and hard
 
Also with the years. The witnesses
Are the Mondays and the knees,
The solitude, the sky, the road
And the four hundred years.
 
                            After César Vallejo                              

Copyright 2020 Michael Simms

A protester in Minneapolis on Thursday, May 28, 2020. Julio Cortez / AP


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6 comments on “Michael Simms: Minneapolis

  1. Joe Ahearn
    June 9, 2020
    Joe Ahearn's avatar

    Hi Mike,
    Such an interesting poem. You’ve channeled Cesar Vallejo well.

    Best,
    Joe

    Liked by 2 people

  2. loranneke
    June 9, 2020
    Laure-Anne's avatar

    So poignant — and that last stanza: tears in my eyes. Thank you, Michael…

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Melissa Kemp
    June 9, 2020
    Melissa Kemp's avatar

    Bravo! Special love to traditional form poetry, remade anew! My favorite.

    Liked by 1 person

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