When Tamir Rice’s age,
I had an air rifle too.
The police didn’t shoot me,
But took the rifle away,
For shooting birds.
Of which I’m not proud –
I mean for shooting the birds.
Now at an advanced age,
I live, and have a lovely wife,
Three children, a grandchild,
And one more on the way.
And my cat likes me too.
I wonder what Tamir would have
Done had he lived to a ripe old age.
If you’re black or brown,
Do you have that right:
To life, liberty, and the pursuit
Of happiness, I mean?
My grandson asked.
How do we answer that?