The darkness closes in.
The bag is tight around my face.
Breathing is difficult.
Fear is choking.
The light floods in
"We're free," they say.
Votes, buses, bathrooms, parks;
We can all share.
"And be free," they say.

I'm happy, I'm free, I vote for John F. Kennedy.
Then they came.
The KKK.
I'm not free, they say.
The darkness returns.
Dreams crushed.
The movement worked.
Just not for all.
"We're free," they say.
"They lied" I say.