They were an army of poverty
a million bare feet,
relentless stomping
red dust of hate in a barren landscape.
White man go, go, go they chanted,
you’re the cause of our despair.

I know, believe me I’m on your side I said
and sounded like a middle class liberal.
They came closer
ignored my pleading,
for between lies another truth,
their misery is my gain.