Martese Johnson, a third-year student in the [University of Virginia] and a member of the Honor Committee and Kappa Alpha fraternity, was arrested at around 12:45 a.m. on Mar. 18 … a state investigation into the use of force in Johnson’s arrest is now underway. Johnson was charged with resisting arrest, obstructing justice without threats of force, and profane swearing or intoxication in public at 4:21 a.m. … Johnson “was very agitated and belligerent but [has] no previous criminal history.” In the course of the arrest, Johnson sustained a head injury requiring 10 stitches.
Smoke. Haze. Fog.
My mind spins as I fall to the ground
In a whole forest but the only felled log
Crashing down, yet no sound
Yell. Scream. Shout.
I forgot that I was supposed to play dumb
I forgot that I wasn’t to stand out
I forgot that I was a fir in a field of tombs
Crackle. Sizzle. Pop.
My actions that led me here all blur together
I remember, my life is considered slop
In the way of land that’s considered better
Warmth. Heat. Burnt.
The dust settles but you are blind
Clouded by the cataracts you have learned
To refuse to acknowledge the signs
Fire. Fire. Fire.