We the People

Three --  yes there were three.

oh trust me, there have been many before them 

silenced shut 

in more  ways that never made it 

to our living rooms. 

This inflated media propelled 

garbage 

we feed on each day .

the loudest sound may reach us 

and take out three lives!!

but  

silence cuts deeper in the soul

vile hatred is spit forth from their tongues 

first in hushed whispers  then 

louder it gets 

what ‘they’ wear

how ‘they’ look

reverberates the streets 

 the parks 

back alleys 

seedy bars 

and maybe even the “parking lots” 

in this free country of ours. 

Three bright flames, shining  bright 

illuminating and inspiring 

extinguished !!

you say  they were .... Muslims !!

Yes, My Christian Brother ..I hear you 

My atheist neighbor - I heard you

My Jewish Mother - I hear you too

My Hindu sister - I’m not deaf 

you see 

they were just like you and me.

Beautiful faces wrapped in colorful hijabs 

spilling joy onto each face 

that passed them by

touching lives that will 

never be made the same 

again.

On my cheeks  a sisters deep sadness 

is crying a river 

my chest still heaves from 

their parents uncried sobs 

unshed tears in blank eyes that stare 

at the futility of this senseless act.

Can your God 

explain this 

better than mine ? 

When an empty space between  two lines 

marked  on asphalt 

can mark three young souls

When hatred inside, triggers a trigger

when a gun smokes the poison of mistrust

its a tragic day 

for each one of us ....

died a little with them 

today

in this free country of ours

‘we the people’  lay  slain !!

~ February 14th, 2015