After The Fall of Rand
Penemue 
Did they roll up all the sidewalks?
Asked the child at my feet.
Did they burn down all the buildings,
When they tore up all the streets?
No, my son, it was not as fast
As a matchbook shines its light.
It happened over some time
Not throughout a single night.
First they locked away the junkies
Then the pushers, pimps, and queers.
They made the good men step aside
By preying on their fears.
They silenced all the speakers
That used to keep the beat,
Then they banned the beverages
That swept us off our feet.
First it was the men in blue
Who lead it with their fierce attack.
They locked up all the brown skinned men
Then the yellows, reds, and blacks.
After that the walls were built
To protect us from the others.
Not to only keep them out,
But to keep us like our brothers.
Soon they turned upon themselves
But so few were left to fight.
They said it wasn’t just our duty
But it was our God-given right.
Men were killed for being fat
Or having eyes too green.
Some were killed for being short
Some just for being seen.
They tore and raged and burned and hate
‘Til none were left to continue.
And those of us who had survived
Knew there was just one thing true:
If our silence had been speech
We would not walk empty streets
And listen only to the leaves
That crumble dead beneath our feet.
Reader Comments (2)
sounds like a take off of Martin Niemoller's poem.
Indirectly, it is. The NOFX song Re-Gaining Unconsciousness, which is inspired by that poem, is referenced in part, along with Gil-Scott Heron, RIchard Matheison, and the Pretenders. It was directly inspired by Jose-Ariel Cuevas' last poem (posted on here) and staring at the empty streets of downtown San Jose. All of the other influences are just from my glut of lyrical knowledge.