In Memory of Anthony McClain
Anthony, I say your name and it troubles me.
Your name is also mine. Same name,
Same God, same
neighborhood,
Yet how
different our lives became!
You died a young
man, a father of two,
shot in the
back by oh so polite police,
Running for
your life, all your life,
Because of the
color of your skin
And America’s
original sin.
I am old and
privileged and white
And I ride my
electric bike
To the place
where your precious blood
Spilled onto the
parkway needlessly.
Because your
death grieves me.
I go to this
place as often as I’m able.
I’m saddened,
yet I’m comforted to see
This place made
lovely
by your friends
and family.
Your picture
with candles and flowers, like an icon.
Like a beacon,
Perennials
planted where your blood flowed free
Proclaiming to
all with eyes to see:
You were loved,
you mattered, you are not forgotten utterly.
I want to say
your name again: Anthony.
I feel somehow
that we’re connected inextricably
By the one who
calls us to do justice and love mercy,
And say his
name, his precious name, gratefully.
Here in this
sacred place, I say your name.
Anthony,
Anthony!
And I whisper
the name that brings us unity:
Hallowed be Thy
name! Hallowed be Thy name!
May Thy Will be
done till we’re all free!
The One Who
Shall Not Be Named
I’m so glad he’s
being evicted from my brain
After four long
years, his memory and his name
Will gradually begin
to fade
Like a bad
dream, like a dying white-hot flame
Till only ash
remains.
His name, his expensive
name, will disappear
From public
places, till no one cares.
He will be like
the rich man in the story
Who strutted past
the poor man
Sick and
starving at his gate,
And felt no pity.
The rich man died
without a name.
The poor man’s
name is written
In the book of life in endless glory.
Lazarus,
Lazarus! Be with us,
Join with us. A
new day is ahead of us!
See "Rich Man and Lazarus," Luke 16: 14-31. https://laquaker.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-story-of-lazarus-and-rich-guy-whats.html
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