What Shall We Reap
Avenge Rodney King
Avenge Rodney King was their yell;
where was the Justice which they yearned?
Three nights they lit the Fires of Hell,
and the City of Angels burned!
Looting they did in Rodney's name,
and many souls paid with their lives.
Tired they were of the Systems game. No more would they swallow its lies.
It's as ye sow, so shall ye reap,
seeds of destruction were drilled deep.
Those deeds ripped off that thin veneer,
we think of as civilized man!
Those vile acts exposed just how near,
to chaos that we really stand!
Frustration was transformed to rage,
as the dark forces seized the night.
In blood, they wrote that history's page,
while Satan leered in delight!
It's as ye sow, so shall ye reap,
just what was the goal that they seek?
Now the Nation looks at its wounds,
and demands action be taken.
But the System knows all too soon
this goal shall be forsaken.
Richer the Rich shall always get,
while the ranks of the Poor have grown.
They'll slap on one yet more quick fix,
but real answers shall stay unknown.
It's as ye sow, so shall ye reap,
The Status Quo they'll always keep.
About the Creator
Mark Stigers
One year after my birth sputnik was launched, making me a space child. I did a hitch in the Navy as a electronics tech. I worked for Hughes Aircraft Company for quite a while. I currently live in the Saguaro forest in Tucson Arizona
Keep reading
More stories from Mark Stigers and writers in Poets and other communities.
Standing Still
There are very few moments in life where time truly stands still. When your breath is taken from your chest and your body hangs weightless in that moment. Just long enough for it to stay with you from that day onwards. Deep in the red sands of the Australian Outback, I found that moment and clung to it forever.
By Kevin McLaughlin4 days ago in Wander
Comments (1)
The poem reflects on the aftermath of the Rodney King incident, offering a critical perspective on the response and the underlying societal issues. Here's a review: The poem "Avenge Rodney King" delves into the complex emotions and consequences following the Rodney King incident, showcasing a mix of frustration, anger, and disillusionment with the justice system. The language used is evocative, employing powerful imagery and metaphorical language to convey the intensity of the emotions surrounding the events. The repetition of the line "It's as ye sow, so shall ye reap" serves as a potent refrain, emphasizing the theme of consequences and the idea that actions have repercussions. This refrain echoes throughout the poem, driving home the point that the societal wounds exposed during the unrest were sown by deeper issues. The poem vividly describes the chaos and destruction that unfolded in the City of Angels, portraying the frustration and rage of those who felt marginalized and oppressed. The reference to looting in Rodney's name and the critique of the systemic game suggest a breaking point, where individuals refuse to accept the injustices perpetuated by the system any longer. The lines "Frustration was transformed to rage, / as the dark forces seized the night" capture the intensity of the emotions and the darker turn events took during the unrest. The mention of Satan leering in delight adds a sinister dimension, portraying the destructive forces at play. Towards the end, the poem addresses the nation's response and the cyclical nature of societal issues. The skepticism about real change and the assertion that the Status Quo will persist despite calls for action reflects a deep-seated cynicism about the ability of the system to bring about meaningful reforms. Overall, "Avenge Rodney King" is a poignant and thought-provoking reflection on a tumultuous moment in history, exploring the complexities of justice, societal unrest, and the cyclical nature of systemic issues. Chat GPT