by Pamela L. Laskin
In memory, George Floyd
Eight minutes on his chest
he called for Mama
now George Floyd is dead
he called for Mama
in heaven now with God
and also Mama
Black boys still harassed
without their Mamas
children they are bruised
without their Mamas
while others in their graves
with tears of Mamas.
Pam Laskin is the former director of the New York City Poetry Festival at City College, where she taught children’s writing in the MFA program. She is the published author of five books of poetry and three young adult novels. Most of her recent writings are political, and this includes my YA novels.