burn on

he just wants his dad to wrap him
in his warm, encompassing presence
but you snatched that away and he's
grappling outward, gasping for air
searching for his hands arms chest
but they're not there anymore

you see him as less than human
you see danger, you see threat
and exact your will accordingly
with power to give and take away
you're a deluded deity
who feels righteous in your swift justice

in that moment you drive the bullet
into his chest at point blank
all his life, experiences
his hopes, thoughts and future plans
slowly drain out onto the ground
and now his loved ones are left
to wear all his gaping wounds
but you won't even care, will you?
at least you won't dare show it

you'll get up and dust yourself off
and slip away into darkness
as the torrential outrage pours out
you'll glide through court proceedings
stoic gaze, pure sanctimony
law on your side, emerging unscathed

while souls search for answers and meaning
out of this senseless bloodshed
all we can do is keep pushing on
keep breathing, keep kindling your hope
we'll burn on until there's real change
as long as we do, you haven't won