Chang'an Avenue

It started with the protest
of those it would effect in the future.
Only there to show their support
for freedom and justice.
They were not to know
what would happen that day
or who the culprit would be.

The Poor Man said: “What price must we pay for freedom?”
And The Rich Man said: “You must pay with your rights.”

Those they trusted
and felt were responsible
turned their backs on them
and let them die.
The responsible ones
felt the need to destroy
the lives of simple protestors
looking for a fairer future
for all.

The Poor Man said: “What price must we pay for justice?”
And The Rich Man said: “You must pay with your honesty.”

The protestors gathered
peacefully in the square
through the gates
of heavenly peace.
They thought they could
sit and chant all day
then go home to their
friends and families.
But they couldn’t.

The Poor Man said: “What price must we pay for peace?”
And The Rich Man said: “You must pay with your blood.”

They came on the
third of June and
never left on the fourth.
They were cut down with fire
and bullets on the most
ironic street upon which
it could occur.

The Poor Man said: “What price must we pay for serenity?”
And The Rich Man said: “You must pay with your pain.”

Even the people who
came out of their houses
to see what was happening
were destroyed like weeds.
And even some in houses
with less protection were
shot while lying on the sofa,
shot quickly through
their own thin walls.

The Poor Man said: “What price must we pay for our lives?”
And The Rich Man said: “You must pay with your deaths.”

And all this happened
while The Rich Man
sat down to celebrate
knowing full well of
the massacre of innocents
on his doorstep
and counted his letters
condoning the death of
his predecessor,
and hoping he will continue
his work
on Chang’an Avenue.

The Poor Man said: “Why did you do such a terrible thing to us?”
And The Rich Man said: “What do you mean? We are all safe on this road.”

And all this happened
while The Rich Man
sat down to celebrate
knowing full well of
the massacre of innocents
on his doorstep
and counted his letters
condoning the death of
his predecessor
and hoping he will continue
his work
on Forever Peace Street.

On Forever Peace Street.