On the Morning After Not Guilty

I'm trying to respond ...
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond to what has happened to Trayvon Martin ... 
to his family ... 
to the mothers of boys born with brown skin ... 
to each of us across this nation. 
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond to the fact that when I see young boys with brown skin on the street, on the metro, in the grocery store and in the classroom, I silently pray this prayer:
Bless you, stay safe, keep your cool, and may you live long enough to see your grandchildren and a time when strangers don't silently pray this prayer.
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond without remembering the cautionary words my mother and father shared with my brother when they taught him that his actions, words, glance and gaze could get him killed ... not just for their intent, but for his brown skin.
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond without tears of pain, sorrow and disappointment to this egregious crime and miscarriage of justice. 
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond in a way that moves this nation forward. 
But a gunshot and shouts of no justice, no peace ring in my ears.

I'm trying to respond ...