Under Church Roof

Churches in blood is old news. Our black churches
exist for solace from spilled blood, exist
to provide Christ and sanctuary; to
structure equality of color, structure
embrace of all who Bible study, embrace
Rough young man lost in hunt under church roof.

One witness left to tell the worst of one.
No screaming audio; no, “Please, no!” No
last calls to Jesus as nine bled their last.
Slaughter-stained battle flag flies after slaughter.
Forty-five, birthday gun a forty-five,
targeting beloved icon, hate’s best target.

Justice, black churches were built to find justice
not found outside the church, where white noose not
courts held sway, where knight riders were the courts.
Mercy, the murdered in prayer found no mercy.
Hatred is merciless. Church forgives hatred.
Under the vaults of heaven all go under.

• About
• Also by this author

Lester Graves Lennon

He is a founding member of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Poet Laureate Task Force and poetry editor of Rosebud Magazine. He lives with his family in the Los Angeles megalopolis.

Also by Lester Graves Lennon (see all)

• Frank Embree Standing on Buggy Facing Camera Fayette, Missouri, July 22,1899 (Photographer Unknown) - May 30, 2021
• Photograph of Lynching, Pre-1915: Place and Photographer, Unknown - February 23, 2021
• Postcard Showing the Lynching of Allen Brooks March 10, 1910, Dallas, Texas - October 26, 2020

Author: Lester Graves Lennon

He is a founding member of the Los Angeles Mayor’s Poet Laureate Task Force and poetry editor of Rosebud Magazine. He lives with his family in the Los Angeles megalopolis. View all posts by Lester Graves Lennon