from Black History Month hosted by Black Lives Matter El Dorado County and Poetry of the Sierra Foothills, an Art & Poetry event (Feb. 20, 2021)
Black History Month
on a painting of George Floyd
He sits on the bench
in front of the courthouse, along with our bags
we put down to lighten our load, waiting.
He’s been sitting before the courthouse
till he’s blue in the face.
The courthouse door is closed,
it’s Saturday. How long has he been sitting?
Ages. We’re only here for an hour or so,
to make art and poetry, to talk and look.
Then we’ll take up our bags
and leave. He’ll still be here.
No, he’s just a picture, an effigy,
an exhibit. He isn’t real.
He is.
~ Taylor Graham (poem & photo)