Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Copyright 2016

On the 3rd day of the month after June

Our lips were singing a famliiar tune

Salt was poured into an open wound

Two lives were taken from us much too soon

Before we could see how their flower would bloom.

On the 3rd day of the 7th round

Our ears heard a familiar sound

Another tragedy struck this town

Two mothers will wear black gowns

Two brothers will be planted into the ground

And, our hearts will gain a thousand pounds.

On the 3rd day of July

There was nothing good about good-bye

As tears fell from raining eyes

And, our heads were lifted towards the sky

To find an answer to the question, why.

In the month of July on the 3rd day

We lost three people that we failed to save

One to the jail hoise, and two went to the grave.

We can run, but we can't hide

One thing about numbers is that they don't tell lies

When it comes to homicides

Every ten times out of nine

It is a case of black on black crime.

As a result of all the commotion

Everyone is caught up in their emotions

To each other, we show no devotion

The tears we spill can fill up an ocean

To cure this sickness, we need to find a potion

Hopefully, tomorrow we will have more than just a notion

And, this tragedy won't be smoothed off just like lotion.

As if nothing has taken place

We will carry on from day to day

Forgetting to love, but remembering to hate

And, return to our wicked ways.

Even if our heart are under a strain

From feeling the grief and enduring the pain

No matter who we feel is to blame

These lives and deaths will be in vain

If those of us who still remain

Don't try somehow to make a change.

Because as our hearts continue to ache

And, the thin line that seperates love from hate

Is stretched to the point that it is about to break

We need to hesitate and evaluate

Before we decide to retaliate

Because this could be our biggest mistake.

We need to understand

That revenge is not how to prove that you are a man

We must resist the pull of this fatal attraction

And, be in control of our own actions.

We need to take a pause, like a comma

Put an end to all this drama

And, think about what this is doing to the mommas.

Haven't they shed enough of their tears ?

We must ignore that voice that may be singing in our ears

That may be urging us to take a life that we didn't give

Making us think that we are keeping it real

Because there are too many reasons for us to live.

While I slumbered and slept in my bed

I had a dream that I was talking to the dead:

Mario M. Wiley, Clay Smith, Deatrick Wilson and we can't forget about Fred

Please read closely to what these brothers said

Since they couldn't be here, they sent me instead.

They said, "Tell the people that momma didn't lie

About your physical life being over when you die

So, you need to make preparations while you afre still alive.

They said, "Man when you pass, it happens really fast

And, you won't be able to stand

When your soul is trying to cross the burning sands

Unless a man named Jesus is holding your hands

So, you need to get to know Him while you still can".

They said, "There are two angels standing at the gate

Checking every heart for evil and hate

So, you need to clean your hearts before it is too late".

They said, Tell the people that they must learn to believe

In those things that their eyes can't see

And, as a man sows, shall he also reap

Because death is an appointment that all of us must keep

So, you need to get your business fixed while you can still breathe".

Finally, they said, "In case you're wondering what happened in the end

Did we lose or did we win

When we stood before The Great Judge, we had ourselves a friend

This man named Jesus gave things a little spin

Instead of looking at what was on the outside

He begged God to look at us from within

So, by grace, all of us made it in".

There is a season and a time for everything under the sun

And, everyone has their race in life that only they can run

As sure as there is a God and a kingdom to come

One of the most important things that I have ever done

Was to design these lines to convince your minds that we must stop the violence and

"PUT DOWN THE GUNS"