On One Knee

It was the hands in the pockets that did it.
He seemed so casual about it. Just kneeling there, face impassive, looking away.
As if he were...leaning against a tree…or guarding a construction site...or just standing on the corner watching passersby.
As if his knee weren’t squeezing the life force out of a man by pressing on his carotid artery.
Then there were the other three - a human Cerberus, deaf and snarling,
Baring teeth at anyone who dared come near,
Who dared to breach the gates of Hades.
One knee.
Eight minutes and 46 seconds.
And now a global movement, 
With hundreds of thousands taking a knee for justice.

Cover Photo by Photo by Bach Nguyen.