NOT FAR FROM US
by Juan M. Pérez
on a distant planet, not far from us
they litter the streets in broad protesting
charging for change from perceived oppressors
from that proverbial knee upon their backs
on a distant planet, not far from us
they’re looting and destroying property
slaying some of the managing elite
doing the things, we have done in our past
on a distant planet, not far from us
they chant against planet-wide injustice
call for universal equality
declare they won’t stand for this imbalance
on a distant planet, not far from us
they shout in one loud voice: HUMANS, GO HOME!