for my godson

for my godson

Tears rolling down your cheeks

like bullet shells dropping to the ground

one life lost

15 more dressed in white, dazed by confusion

anger, fear and pain --years old,

whispers

insidiously demanding

payback

screaming revenge

the young brother with a similar whisper

and same dazed look

your target

you spin in and out of

the child with chubby cheeks

and big dreams

and the mask that covers 

all  things

good, and, natural, and beautiful

voices speak out muffled pleas

to stand

stand up

you wonder where your legs went

cut off long ago

a mother sobs

focusing your daze

a homeboy’s cry

becomes contagious

only nobody knows where it starts or stops

fingers clinch triggers

clapping at anything

that might relieve your pain

only to find it circles back around

like a dog chasing its tail

there are no winners

only loss

deep altering loss

Oh child beautiful child

let your tears roll

like white flags of surrender

let them cleanse you soul

lay down your head and listen

to the voice of Truth

the one who Loves you

and calls you by name

a bruised reed He will not break

a smoldering wick

He will not snuff out

lean back

And wait

for He is faithful

to heal your broken heart

to bring back 

things you thought were lost

He can redeem you

your sister, your brother,

your cousins, your partners

they don’t have to die in vain

you are not your father

absent, angry, addicted

you are not your mother

weary, worn, wounded

stand up

your legs are not gone

for He renews

the strength of the weary.

stare down the lie

and stand

revenge, confusion and death only muffles hope

for it cannot be destroyed

his Love remains

his Plans are still For Good

not for harm

He has the final word

and you are not alone