Gabriel Kang

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

Hands up, palms bare, but the police don’t care.

The shots crack & the walls peel & the white sirens don’t blink.

It drinks deep, soaks red, but don't stain their minds.

Somewhere a child counts—zero, one, missin’ his seconds.

Somewhere a body folds—knees first, then chest, missin’ his feet.

Somewhere a mother hums—eyes dry & only the red sirens get to cry.

The candles flicker off & on & off & the news rolls on.

Another name, another march, another grave, another song.