we must
it is our divine calling
to remove the safety clips from our holsters
long hours of training at shooting ranges
high percentages of bulls eyes
center target hits
every time
possessing the proper licenses
our credentials in order
badges we wear
unfettered access into any situation
we will protect and serve
promises made
oath taken
right hands touching our
warm and dedicated hearts
standing erect in military formations
graduation
surreal experience
remembering that day we crossed over the burning sands
poets
to
writers of poems
to be a voice in times like these
to speak for those
whose words fall like mustard seeds on dry concrete
and wither away
to protect the young
the helpless
the elderly
the wordless
the times
they call out to us to write poems
not poetry
it is the oath we took
swearing our allegiance
placing our hands on the works of
Baraka
Hughes
Giovanni
Sanchez
other writers of poems from yesterday
promises made
sworn in
protected and served
inspired us to be
writer of poems
dedicated to protecting and serving
in times like these