society was normalised today
no poem was written outside of the template
the icons were replaced and thoughtlessly respected
no moth of an impure idea died upon the window
and black lives didn't matter

society was normative today
we French-kissed the wooden tongue
beginning to get very tired Liberalism slept
the people dissolved
and black lives didn't matter

society was normalised today
attending my ambition a flower was laid
'dissenters' opened envelopes of gift cards
Wednesday was declared racist
and black lives didn't matter

society was normative today
the dead offered no defence at their trial
ashes were machine-gunned
great writing made no trans-formative change
and black lives didn't matter

society was normalised today
Auden's ogre wasn't no-platformed but invited
ink became parked tanks and barking dogs
the state closed the borders / re-elected itself by virtue
and black lives didn't matter