Black History Month, Day Seven - Night

Inspiration Image: Leroy Campbell – Carefree 

Writing Soundtrack: Boyz II Men – “Can You Stand the Rain”

Moment Captured: 16th Church Street Bombing, September 15, 1963

It happened on a Sunday, 

Hair bows and smiles flowing free, 

Mama’s apple pie still warm-

Prized possession of the after-church table.

It happened on a Sunday, 

When I was girl, and they were girls…

But youth’s never been enough

To stop the hate of a hater. 

It happened on a Sunday

While they fixed stockings and

Tied sashes and

Smoothed hair.

It happened on a Sunday

And then…

There was night.

The day was over.

It happened on a Sunday

And I was a girl

But they…

They were no more.