You wanted a quiet life
To be left alone
They wanted to hound you
To make their presence felt
To make you disappear.
Doorways gave you shelter
They always found you
Moved you on
That did not satisfy
Fear being the father of cruelty
Concocted a plan
They would chase you
Chase you until there was nowhere else to go
Across the bridge
The River Aire beckoned
Into the water you would go
Further and further in you’d go
A homeless black man
Until…
Drowned
Murdered was the decision
Leeds City Police Force
Produced a first!
The first successful prosecution of British police officers
for involvement in the death of a Black person.
Your name kicked its way into Leeds United Fan repertoire
The River Aire is chilly and deep -OL- U-WA-LE
Never trust the Leeds Police force -OL-U-WA-LE
And
Never trust the Leeds Police Force
Oluwale
Get in the van and don’t dilly dally on the way
Reggae Dub poetry of Linton Kwesi Johnson
Drummed the story
The pattern was clear
Your legacy has ebbed and flowed
but you are immortalised
In books, songs,
Plaques
Sculpture, Memorial Gardens
A bridge over the River Aire
Bears your name.
They wanted you gone
Instead
You are forever a part of Leeds.
Myrna Moore