Beautiful brown boy
On the ground
Eyes open
Not seeing the rain
Pouring into them
Jaw slack
Hoodie down
khakis pulled up
Fastened at your waist
Your momma and daddy
Taught you well
That strangers can be dangerous
Especially those who creep out of the dark
Bearing hate and feeling small
So,
No prom for you
Dear boy
No wedding
No children
No memories of you and family
For momma and daddy to savor
Just holes in their hearts to match
the hole
In yours
But as God is my witness
Sweet boy
You will never be forgotten
Nor,
The hate
That took you away
Sharon Lea Harper is a psychiatric nurse, writer, and poet. She is also a founding member of the Philadelphia chapter of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee.
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