#poem, «Dignity Has Finally Stepped Up to the Plate»

DIGNITY HAS FINALLY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE

Like a slugger whose slump has passed by

city dwellers in a summer whose temperatures fry

have took to the streets to defend their democracy

have taken initiative to protect sacred life

have shown that dignity is well and alive

and that tyranny will never be welcome

neither racism, hatred, offenses or insults

and that the colour of one’s skin is not a crime…

Peaceful and calm,

though angry,

feet march,

voices chant

flags fly,

not foreign

and with a right to be here…

Then greeted with violence,

Gas, batons, rubber bullets,

Marines deployed against civilians,

Soldiers…

Police in riot gear…

For what?

Power cannot stop the dream

Democracy will not be forsaken,

peace arrives when justice rules,

people’s lives will not be ruined

by a soldier’s boots or bayonet,

or by the orders of a tyrant alone in bed

munching on chips,

alone, unwanted and bitter,

deep inside knowing that

those who struggle for justice

will never be quitters…

C.2025 Francisco Bravo Cabrera – 13 JUN 2025 – Valencia, España