I Cannot Speak

I cannot speak, I was not there
to feel the lashes born and bare
that brought good men to mortal pain,
and laid them there in reverence slain
to end what we might yet have gained,
I cannot speak, I was not there.

I did not hear, I did not know
the anguish that was wounded so.
Unaware of painful cries
that tore the soul that filled the eyes,
that gathered as the victim dies
I did not hear, I did not know.

I did not move, I was not near
to stop the vicious anger’s jeer, to stop the sorrow and the fright,
that mocked all justice and all right,
that banished all who fought the fight,
I did not move, I was not near.

Now I am here, I’m standing now,
and at the heaven’s gate I bow,
that somehow in my foolish state,
I may yet still not be too late,
that I can somehow stop the hate.
I am here, I stand now.