An Invitation (Part One)

This poem is my adaption of the story of Billy Ray Johnson, a mentally disabled black man who was beaten unconscious and left aside the road to die on the basis of his race by white kids half his age in 2003. He suffered blood loss, brain damage, broken bones, and severe bruising. The individuals who caused this were never brought to justice. This is my message to them, and all who hate their fellow humans.


"AN INVITATION (PART ONE)"


An invitation.
I saw it as hope,
I'd have what I'd longed for:
Friendship.

They thought I was funny
My jokes made them laugh.
I thought I'd been accepted,
I thought I'd found success.

I knew not that I'd done wrong,
But the pain told me so.

I laid in puddles of blood,
My bones screamed for relief.
Slipping in and out of consciousness,
All I could do was wimper.

My mind, my skin
Held against me.

My mind, my mind
My aching mind...

Why can't I speak?
Why can't I move?

What causes people,
Born in innocence,
To cause such a thing?

Be it hatred,
That void, that lack of Love?
Or be it jealousy,
That I've no void within me?

I offer this:
An invitation.
For all those who hate.

An invitation to continue hating,
Continue hurting,
Continue ruining this Earth.

And when you die, you'll see Truth.
Eternity will dole out Justice.
Your pain will know no end,
And I will have my rest.