Why They Left

deputies mysteriously

unable

to prevent

abduction

of black

men and women-

routinely tortured

and mutilated

before festive

crowds.

every negro

will be

lynched.

fifteen thousand

gathered

to watch

as he was

burned alive.

every negro

will be

lynched.

the crowd chanted.

one father wanted

to make

sure his

toddler

watched.

every negro

will be

lynched.

someone was hanged

or

burned alive

every four days.

every negro

will be

lynched.

violence-

a part of the landscape.