It has to be carefully arranged
For us to talk with each other.
After the police shot and killed,
After buildings burned and store
Windows were shattered, we
March together in protest, the
Well-meaning staggering under
The burden of fear and hope.
We meet in churches and we
Hug and smile and nod once more,
We listen to speeches and music,
We share cookies and lemonade
Before the farewell hugs and promise
To stand and fight together the next
Time, arm in arm, heads held high
And tell the world of common humanity,
Say bye bye till the next time, before
We return to zip codes worlds apart.
Where we’ll carefully arrange to talk
The next time, when the fire next time
Gets even closer to home in the
Zip codes of our lives.