viral

One day it might pass

 from mother to babe,
immunity as strong and persistent
as the viral implant of racism;
in that day, such powerful way,
man might become nearly immortal.

Easier by far to smash an atom
than the attitudes of superiority,
so many fathers have taught it
from cozy bouncing knee
poured poison into wide eyed innocence;

so many have condoned it by silence
in jokes, slurs and smears, glanced over
chuckling shoulders to see if decency overheard;
building bonds between like minds.

Now, victims do not rest so easily
in most of the world, but still for some
racism defines life, terms and conditions
with iron clad guarantees.

Tomorrow rises as new day
and dreams come with it
that the last racist thought
would fade like sunset;
a world of promise by performance
on a level plane.

Today is with us, and the task
sits before us, to end the blight
starting with words that pass our lips.