(Regarding the Baton Rouge assassinations of police)
blue burgundy blood
once the bright
crimson fluid of life
now a dark seeping
stain verging unto the
dead hue of rust
spreading over this
landscape of menace
disfiguring ethical facets
philosophers carved
from strong civilized bones
precious gems of republic
the functional stalwarts
of ordered society
modern centurions
serving protecting
become now
its violent victims
their innocent offal
unspeakable trophies
of rampaging hatred
the hallmark of monsters
descended from Cain
skulking in and among us
to furtively strike from
decayed intellectual barrens
where cowards have
ever found reason and root
to grow into assassins