History's Three Ks and the Feeling That Transcends Color

He loved her like diamonds  
his world seemed perfect when she smiled  
never pined for anything more in wants  
thought he approval was the elixir of the ages  
 
She thought he was one in a million  
a kindness that was rare to find  
his touch set all right  
a calm demeanor that could steady any sea  
 
The enjoyed the spring and summer nights  
lilacs and roses showcased paths in nature's splendor  
quite days in hammocks with mint juleps  
movies holding hands  
 
But their relationship had a middle name  
turbulence was the call  
she the heir to acres and acres  
a plantation in the days of old  
 
He the descendant of share croppers  
earlier suppressed as slaves  
fine if they were content to work the fields  
once tasting freedom however there was no looking back  
 
So emerged was a recognition in humanity of all  
the town happy to say was fine and dandy  
a few sneers and jokes around  
but not the violence that rocked southern lands
 
The lovers couldn't be contained in one small location  
one night when the traveled far  
approached by the white sheets of Klans men  
no need to tell you what they were  
 
His brother had been savagely beaten  
while working for the NAACP  
this was a year after Medgar  
the year after Kennedy  
 
Sometimes when one sees people cut down in the midst of a good cause
the impulse wins out to put the feet in the sand  
so was the case despite being out numbered  
years of indignities seemingly with one outlet  
 
The white hooders had not expected the ferocity  
that was shown by their supposed "foe"  
and were intent to retreat and resign  
who should show up but the police chief  
 
He brandied a nightstick  
used it to maim the darker skinned man  
took his body who knows where  
another statistic to the arch of Civil Right's accounts  
 
We would like to think we are now immune to this  
but every now and then I have doubts  
maybe not as blatant so masses don't feel the sting  
laced in the prisons and other institutions even tied to the color green