I couldn’t help but watch the news last night…

Fires burn out of control tonight
Once again, they’ve failed to do the right thing
Now the canisters fly as the people cry out
Now shots ring out; time, it seems, has changed nothing

Police and fire flee the scene
news crews observe mayhem out of control
‘Get to safety—it’s dangerous out there’
‘Now the results of the latest flash poll…’

Years pass—nothing changes
Business as usual—the same old game

Rocks and fires and looting and tear gas
the same old price of justice failed
Tomorrow the town wakes up to ruins
—and nobody goes to jail

(25 November 2014)