©

in only a moment
hot turns to cold
what once was a body
harboring a soul
now empty, depleted
all energy drains
whisper of spirit
is all that remains

hovering remnants
of energy pure
as a wish for tomorrow
bringing no cure
wish turns to vapor
body to dust
crumbling emotion
like metal to rust

where once were ideas
plans, hopes, and dreams
departed in panic
no fabric, no seams
no binding or glue
puts the body back whole
what’s left, only memories
of each stolen soul

the reaper rejoices
consuming its prey
no worry for consequence
no one will pay

lies entered on paper
“suspect had a knife”
reported as duty
grand theft of a life
“suspect had a phone
which looked like a gun.
i feared for my safety”
this can’t be undone

lies entered on paper
excuse the offense
“he refused to obey me”
the usual pretense
“he fired a weapon”
no residue found
lies entered on paper
no one was around

reported as duty
grand theft of a life
lies written on paper
“suspect” had a wife
a mom and a dad
sister and brother
“suspect” was a father
and friend to another

in the reaper’s assessment
“suspect was black”
a good enough reason
to shoot in the back

reported as duty
murder becomes plain
the job of the reaper
becoming mundane
lies written on paper
“suspect had a gun”
reported as duty
this can’t be undone

breath has escaped him
along with his blood
he’s left there for hours
displayed in the mud
while reaper reports
“suspect did a crime”
maybe a witness
will show up this time

spirit surrounds
as mere humans lament
particles left after
final breath spent
a sparkle in darkness
star in black night
a dream in the morning
fresh air in daylight

the reaper on duty
reporting all lies
to the reaper in charge
choosing who dies

where once were ideas
plans, hopes, and dreams
departed in panic
no fabric, no seams
no binding or glue
puts the body back whole
what’s left, only memories
of each stolen soul

hovering remnants
of energy pure
as a wish for tomorrow
bringing no cure
wish turns to vapor
body to dust
crumbling emotion
like metal to rust

in only a moment
hot turns to cold
what once was a body
harboring a soul
now empty, depleted
all energy drains
whisper of spirit
is all that remains

 

seventeen police victims
derek williams
derrick gaines
alan blueford
oscar grant
raheim brown
kenneth harding jr
trayvon martin
james rivera jr