Chains of Prejudice

The Chains of your Prejudice bound me,

More than the actual manacles clasped around my

Dark wrists.

Too dark,

According to you.

Who knew,

The red and blue lights

Could flash fear so strong,

That the trill of a siren

Could be such a nightmarish song.

Men in blue,

“To protect and to serve”

But who are they protecting?

Murder, felony, arson, burglary.

No crime is worse

Then the color of my skin.

A life sentence

To Racism,

A prison built

From Hatred.

And yet,

When the sun shines,

Your shadow and mine are cast the same.

The rich redness of our blood reflects the same,

Same flesh, same bones, same minds

And still, somehow,

I’m always a Criminal

In your eyes.

Leocardia Wanjira

Poem