I Can't

I can't watch the news
since before the Viet Nam War
during the dogs, fire hoses,
club-wielding attacks
on peaceful black protestors
men, women, and children

I avoid the TV video violence
the B-52 raids, the burning children
the napalm attacks, the dead boys
in uniforms and those parted
out with prostheses and PTSD

I wince, grit my teeth,
at the headlines about
the latest terrorist attacks
by the police on black
men, women, children

I can't watch it again
still, I can't avoid
vibrating to
the frequency of
the suffering
and outrage
they leave
me drained
of anger
and hope
but still
breathing
another
precious
breath